CVE-2017-15068 in Puma
Summary
by MITRE
The Intel Puma 5, 6, and 7 chips, as used on various Comcast branded devices, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (performance degradation) by sending a moderate volume of small packets to many TCP or UDP ports. NOTE: Intel has advised that they are only a hardware manufacturer in this instance; they do NOT own the mitigation distribution channel for these chips. Any details about mitigations would need to come from Comcast.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15068 represents a significant denial of service weakness within Intel Puma 5, 6, and 7 chipset implementations found in Comcast-branded networking devices. This flaw operates at the network protocol level, specifically targeting the TCP and UDP port handling mechanisms within the chipsets. The vulnerability manifests when remote attackers exploit the hardware's packet processing capabilities by transmitting relatively small volumes of packets across numerous TCP or UDP ports simultaneously. The impact results in measurable performance degradation rather than complete system failure, making the issue particularly insidious as it may not immediately trigger obvious alerting mechanisms while still compromising network functionality. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of resource exhaustion attacks that target fundamental networking infrastructure components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from how the Intel Puma chipsets process incoming network traffic at the hardware level. When multiple small packets are directed toward various ports concurrently, the chip's processing resources become overwhelmed with connection state management and packet routing operations. This creates a cascading effect where legitimate network traffic experiences delays and reduced throughput. The chipset's architecture does not adequately distinguish between legitimate and malicious packet patterns, leading to inefficient resource allocation and eventual performance degradation. The vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in the chipset's flow control and resource management algorithms, which should ideally prioritize critical network operations over routine packet processing tasks. This aligns with CWE-400 vulnerability classification related to unspecified resource exhaustion and represents a specific implementation flaw in network processing hardware.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network disruption to potentially affect Comcast's service quality and customer experience. Network performance degradation can result in slower internet connectivity, increased latency, and reduced bandwidth availability for end users. Service providers may experience increased support tickets, customer complaints, and potential revenue impacts due to service degradation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or specialized network privileges to cause disruption, making it particularly concerning for large-scale deployments. Organizations relying on these chipsets for their network infrastructure face significant operational risks, as the attack can be executed from anywhere on the internet without requiring authentication or specialized equipment. The vulnerability also impacts the overall network reliability and availability of Comcast's service offerings, potentially affecting business continuity and customer satisfaction metrics.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must be implemented at multiple levels since the hardware manufacturer Intel does not control the distribution of specific fixes or patches for these chipsets. Network administrators should consider implementing rate limiting mechanisms, port filtering rules, and connection tracking controls to reduce the impact of malicious packet streams. The affected devices should be monitored for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and network segmentation strategies can help isolate vulnerable components from critical infrastructure. Organizations should implement intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on abnormal packet volume patterns across multiple ports. Additionally, network administrators should establish baseline performance metrics to quickly identify when degradation occurs and correlate these events with potential exploitation attempts. The mitigation approach should follow established cybersecurity frameworks and best practices while acknowledging that the primary responsibility for addressing this issue rests with the device manufacturers rather than the hardware vendor. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper supply chain security and the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that address both hardware and software components in network infrastructure deployments.