CVE-2017-15073 in Puma
Summary
by MITRE
The Intel Puma 5, 6, and 7 chips, as used on Samsung Home Media Server 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 Samsung.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15073 represents a significant denial of service weakness inherent in the Intel Puma 5, 6, and 7 chip architectures when deployed in Samsung Home Media Server devices. This flaw operates at the network protocol level and demonstrates how hardware design limitations can create exploitable conditions that affect end-user systems. The vulnerability specifically targets the chip's handling of network traffic, where malicious actors can exploit the system's response to small packet volumes across multiple TCP or UDP ports to degrade overall performance. The affected devices operate in home networking environments where continuous availability and reliable service delivery are critical for media streaming and other connected services.
The technical mechanism underlying this vulnerability involves the chip's packet processing and connection handling capabilities. When subjected to moderate volumes of small packets distributed across numerous TCP or UDP ports, the Puma series chips exhibit performance degradation characteristics that effectively constitute a denial of service condition. This behavior stems from how the hardware manages incoming network connections and packet flow control, creating a scenario where legitimate network traffic becomes impaired due to the resource exhaustion or inefficient processing patterns triggered by the attack vectors. The vulnerability manifests as a performance degradation rather than complete system failure, making it particularly insidious as it may not be immediately apparent to users while still severely impacting functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for home network environments where Samsung Home Media Servers serve as central media distribution points. The attack requires only moderate packet volumes and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to attackers with basic network reconnaissance capabilities. The performance degradation impacts users' ability to stream media content, access shared files, and maintain normal network operations through the affected devices. Security professionals should note that while this vulnerability affects consumer-grade networking equipment, the implications extend beyond simple inconvenience to potential service disruption in environments where these devices form part of critical infrastructure. The attack vector's accessibility and the hardware-based nature of the flaw mean that traditional software-based mitigations may be insufficient.
The mitigation landscape for CVE-2017-15073 presents unique challenges due to the hardware-centric nature of the vulnerability. As noted in the original advisory, Intel's role as a hardware manufacturer means they do not control the distribution of specific mitigations for these chips in Samsung devices. This situation creates a gap in the typical vulnerability response model where vendors typically provide patches or updates directly to address security issues. Organizations and users affected by this vulnerability must rely on Samsung's response and potentially firmware updates from the device manufacturer. The vulnerability demonstrates how hardware-level flaws can complicate standard security management processes and highlights the importance of understanding the complete supply chain when assessing security risks. This case also illustrates the need for manufacturers to clearly communicate their roles and responsibilities in vulnerability management, particularly when hardware components are integrated into consumer products by third parties. The attack pattern aligns with techniques described in the attack tree framework where network-based denial of service attacks exploit system resource management weaknesses. The vulnerability's classification relates to CWE-400, which covers unchecked resource consumption, and represents a specific instance of how hardware design decisions can create security implications that extend beyond the immediate component level.