CVE-2017-9263 in vSwitch
Summary
by MITRE
In Open vSwitch (OvS) 2.7.0, while parsing an OpenFlow role status message, there is a call to the abort() function for undefined role status reasons in the function `ofp_print_role_status_message` in `lib/ofp-print.c` that may be leveraged toward a remote DoS attack by a malicious switch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9263 resides within Open vSwitch version 2.7.0, specifically within the OpenFlow protocol message handling mechanism. This issue manifests in the `ofp_print_role_status_message` function located in the `lib/ofp-print.c` source file, where the software fails to properly validate incoming OpenFlow role status messages. The flaw occurs when the system encounters role status reasons that are not explicitly defined within the expected parameter set, triggering an abrupt termination through the abort() system call.
Open vSwitch serves as a critical software-defined networking component that implements virtual switch functionality, making it a cornerstone in modern network virtualization environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the OpenFlow message parsing logic, which processes control messages exchanged between network switches and controllers. When a malicious switch sends an OpenFlow role status message containing undefined role status reasons, the parsing function cannot gracefully handle this unexpected input and instead invokes the abort() function, leading to process termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it creates a remote denial of service condition that can be exploited from outside the local network. An attacker controlling a malicious switch can craft specially formatted OpenFlow messages that trigger the abort() call, causing the Open vSwitch daemon to terminate unexpectedly. This disruption affects network connectivity and can potentially compromise network virtualization services, particularly in environments where Open vSwitch serves as the primary virtual switching infrastructure. The vulnerability represents a classic example of improper error handling that can be leveraged for remote exploitation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-248, which addresses "Uncaught Exception" conditions, and demonstrates how undefined behavior in protocol parsing can lead to system instability. The attack vector is classified as remote, as the malicious switch can initiate the attack from any location capable of communicating with the target Open vSwitch instance, making it particularly dangerous in distributed network environments. The exploit requires minimal privileges and can be executed without authentication, as it targets the OpenFlow protocol message handling rather than requiring direct system access. Organizations utilizing Open vSwitch in production environments should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern, particularly in cloud and virtualized network infrastructures where such systems are prevalent. The recommended mitigation involves applying the vendor-provided patch that enhances input validation and implements proper error handling for undefined role status reasons, ensuring that malformed OpenFlow messages are gracefully rejected rather than causing system termination.