CVE-2017-15072 in Puma
Summary
by MITRE
The Intel Puma 5, 6, and 7 chips, as used on various Quantenna 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 Quantenna.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15072 affects Intel Puma 5, 6, and 7 chips that are integrated into various Quantenna networking devices, representing a significant denial of service weakness in hardware-level network processing capabilities. This flaw manifests when remote attackers exploit the chip's handling of network traffic by transmitting moderate volumes of small packets across numerous TCP or UDP ports simultaneously. The attack vector demonstrates how hardware-level design limitations can create systemic vulnerabilities that impact network infrastructure reliability and performance across multiple device types.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the chip's insufficient processing capabilities when handling concurrent packet flows, particularly when dealing with small packet sizes that consume disproportionate processing resources relative to their payload. The Puma series chips exhibit poor resource management when processing multiple concurrent connections or ports, leading to performance degradation that can effectively render network services unavailable to legitimate users. This behavior aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes issues related to resource exhaustion and inadequate resource management in computing systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to include broader network reliability concerns that affect enterprise and consumer connectivity. Network administrators face challenges in identifying and mitigating this issue since it operates at the hardware level rather than through software patches, creating a dependency on device manufacturers for remediation. The distributed nature of the vulnerability across multiple Quantenna device models means that organizations cannot rely on standard patch management procedures, instead requiring manufacturer-specific updates and potentially hardware replacements.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling activities, particularly when assessing network infrastructure that relies on Quantenna devices with affected Intel Puma chips. The attack requires minimal resources from the adversary while potentially causing significant disruption to network services, making it an attractive vector for malicious actors seeking to disrupt connectivity. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions capable of detecting unusual packet patterns and establish clear communication channels with Quantenna for mitigation guidance, as Intel's advisory indicates they do not control the distribution of fixes for this hardware-level issue.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires coordination between network administrators and Quantenna support teams, as Intel's role is limited to hardware manufacturing while Quantenna manages the software and firmware updates necessary to address the performance degradation. This situation highlights the importance of understanding the complete supply chain for network devices and the potential for hardware-level vulnerabilities to create cascading security challenges that extend beyond the immediate device manufacturer's control. Network operators should also consider implementing traffic shaping policies and rate limiting measures to reduce the impact of potential exploitation while awaiting manufacturer-provided solutions.
This vulnerability demonstrates how embedded hardware design decisions can create persistent security challenges that require ongoing attention from both hardware manufacturers and end users. The reliance on specific manufacturers for mitigation updates creates a dependency that can leave networks vulnerable for extended periods, particularly when manufacturers do not prioritize rapid response to hardware-level issues. The situation underscores the importance of thorough hardware security assessments and the need for organizations to maintain awareness of hardware-level vulnerabilities that may not be immediately apparent through standard software security measures.
The technical characteristics of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, and specifically demonstrates how hardware-level weaknesses can create persistent attack surfaces that require specialized mitigation approaches. Network defenders must recognize that vulnerabilities like this one represent a class of issues that cannot be resolved through traditional software patching methodologies, requiring a more comprehensive approach that includes hardware inventory management, manufacturer coordination, and potentially architectural redesign considerations for affected network infrastructure.