CVE-2016-8105 in Ethernet Controller X710
Summary
by MITRE
Drivers for the Intel Ethernet Controller X710 and Intel Ethernet Controller XL710 families before version 22.0 are vulnerable to a denial of service in certain layer 2 network configurations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8105 affects Intel Ethernet Controllers X710 and XL710 families with driver versions prior to 22.0, representing a significant denial of service weakness that impacts layer 2 network operations. This flaw resides within the network driver implementation and specifically manifests under certain layer 2 network configurations, where it can cause complete service disruption. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-400 as an uncontrolled resource consumption issue, which aligns with the denial of service characteristics observed in this Intel driver implementation. Network administrators and security professionals must understand that this weakness does not involve direct code execution or privilege escalation but rather represents a critical availability threat to network infrastructure components.
The technical implementation flaw occurs within the driver's handling of specific layer 2 network frames or configurations, where the processing logic fails to properly validate or manage incoming network traffic patterns. This improper handling leads to resource exhaustion or system state corruption that ultimately results in network interface unavailability. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, where adversaries can exploit weaknesses in network infrastructure to disrupt service availability. The affected drivers lack proper input validation mechanisms for layer 2 frame processing, creating a condition where malformed or specific network traffic patterns can trigger the denial of service state.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network disruption to potentially compromise entire network segments that rely on these Intel Ethernet controllers. When exploited, the denial of service condition can render network interfaces unusable until manual intervention occurs, including driver reinstallation or system reboot procedures. Organizations using these network controllers in mission-critical applications face significant risk of service degradation or complete network outages, particularly in environments where high availability is required. The vulnerability affects both the X710 and XL710 controller families, indicating a widespread issue across Intel's network controller product line that requires coordinated patch management across multiple hardware platforms. The impact is particularly severe in data center environments where these controllers are commonly deployed for high-speed network connectivity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8105 primarily involve immediate driver updates to version 22.0 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the layer 2 processing logic. Network administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and prioritize patch deployment across critical infrastructure components. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and establishing incident response procedures for rapid remediation. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and resource management within the driver's layer 2 processing routines, preventing the conditions that previously led to resource exhaustion. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.