CVE-2015-0272 in NetworkManager
Summary
by MITRE
GNOME NetworkManager allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (IPv6 traffic disruption) via a crafted MTU value in an IPv6 Router Advertisement (RA) message, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8215.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2015-0272 represents a significant flaw in the GNOME NetworkManager implementation that specifically targets IPv6 network traffic handling. This issue manifests when the network management system processes malformed IPv6 Router Advertisement messages containing crafted MTU values, leading to unintended system behavior that disrupts network connectivity for affected devices. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, exploiting how NetworkManager interprets and processes routing information exchanged between network devices and hosts. Unlike CVE-2015-8215 which addresses a different aspect of IPv6 handling, this particular flaw focuses specifically on the manipulation of Maximum Transmission Unit values within IPv6 Router Advertisement packets.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts an IPv6 Router Advertisement message with an invalid or maliciously configured MTU value that falls outside the expected parameters for IPv6 network operations. When NetworkManager receives such a packet, it processes the MTU information without proper validation, potentially leading to memory corruption or improper handling of network traffic flow. This flaw resides in the IPv6 protocol stack implementation within NetworkManager's network configuration subsystem, where the software fails to validate the legitimacy of MTU values received in routing advertisements. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-122, which deals with buffer overflow conditions, as improper handling of MTU values can lead to memory management issues that affect system stability and network functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0272 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire network segments that rely on IPv6 connectivity. When exploited, the vulnerability causes denial of service conditions where IPv6 traffic becomes disrupted or completely blocked, affecting any device running GNOME NetworkManager that receives the malicious Router Advertisement. This disruption can cascade through network infrastructure, particularly in environments where IPv6 is actively used and where devices depend on automatic routing configuration. The vulnerability affects systems running various Linux distributions that utilize GNOME NetworkManager as their primary network management solution, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where automated network configuration is common. Network administrators may observe intermittent connectivity issues or complete loss of IPv6 network access, while system logs might show unusual network behavior or memory allocation errors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining network infrastructure. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to patched versions of GNOME NetworkManager where the MTU value validation has been properly implemented and enforced. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation or firewall rules that filter IPv6 Router Advertisement messages to prevent malformed packets from reaching affected systems. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual Router Advertisement patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed IPv6 packets can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004, which deals with application layer protocol traffic filtering, as the exploitation involves manipulation of network protocol communications at the application layer. System administrators should also implement regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning procedures to identify any remaining instances of unpatched systems within their network infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other network management components.