CVE-2016-10728 in Suricata
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Suricata before 3.1.2. If an ICMPv4 error packet is received as the first packet on a flow in the to_client direction, it confuses the rule grouping lookup logic. The toclient inspection will then continue with the wrong rule group. This can lead to missed detection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-10728 represents a critical flaw in the Suricata network intrusion detection system that affects versions prior to 3.1.2. This issue specifically targets the ICMPv4 error packet handling mechanism within the flow processing logic, creating a scenario where the system's rule grouping lookup functionality becomes corrupted. The problem manifests when an ICMPv4 error packet is received as the initial packet in a flow directed toward the client side, fundamentally disrupting the normal packet inspection process. This flaw operates at the core of Suricata's flow tracking and rule evaluation mechanisms, potentially allowing malicious traffic to evade detection by bypassing proper rule application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how Suricata manages flow state information when processing ICMP error messages. When an ICMPv4 error packet arrives as the first packet in a to_client flow, the system's internal state tracking becomes inconsistent, causing subsequent packet processing to reference incorrect rule groups. This misalignment in rule grouping lookup creates a condition where the inspection engine continues to apply rules from a different context than intended. The flaw specifically impacts the to_client inspection path, where the system's ability to properly categorize and apply appropriate rules becomes compromised, leading to a scenario where legitimate threat detection rules may not be properly executed against the traffic stream.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple detection failure, potentially allowing attackers to craft ICMP error packets that can manipulate Suricata's rule evaluation process. This creates a vector for evading network security controls by exploiting the flow state confusion that occurs during ICMP error packet processing. The missed detection capability represents a significant risk to network security posture, as it could allow malicious ICMP traffic to bypass signature-based detection mechanisms that rely on proper rule group application. This vulnerability affects the fundamental reliability of Suricata's inspection engine, potentially leading to undetected malicious activity that would otherwise be flagged by properly functioning rule evaluation.
Organizations using Suricata versions prior to 3.1.2 should prioritize immediate remediation through patching to address this vulnerability. The fix implemented in Suricata 3.1.2 specifically addresses the flow state management during ICMPv4 error packet processing, ensuring that rule grouping lookups maintain proper context regardless of packet order within flows. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring to detect anomalous ICMP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper handling of input boundaries, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol tunneling, though the primary concern here is rule evaluation bypass rather than direct protocol manipulation. Organizations should verify their Suricata deployments and ensure all instances are updated to version 3.1.2 or later to prevent exploitation of this flow state confusion vulnerability.