CVE-2019-8580 in AirPort Base Station
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
Source-routed IPv4 packets were disabled by default. This issue is fixed in AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.8.1, AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.9.1. Source-routed IPv4 packets may be unexpectedly accepted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability described in CVE-2019-8580 pertains to the improper handling of source-routed IPv4 packets within Apple AirPort base station firmware implementations. This represents a significant security weakness that could potentially allow unauthorized network access or malicious packet manipulation. Source routing is an IP networking feature that allows packets to be routed through a specified sequence of intermediate nodes rather than following the standard shortest path algorithm. The vulnerability specifically addresses a scenario where source-routed packets that were previously disabled by default became unexpectedly accepted by affected firmware versions, creating a potential attack vector for network exploitation.
The technical flaw stems from the firmware's failure to properly enforce network security policies regarding source routing mechanisms. When source-routed packets are accepted, they can bypass normal network routing controls and potentially allow attackers to manipulate packet paths or gain unauthorized access to network resources. This behavior creates a pathway for various attack techniques including packet sniffing, man-in-the-middle attacks, and network reconnaissance. The vulnerability falls under the category of network protocol implementation flaws and can be classified as a weakness in network security controls according to CWE standards. The specific nature of this issue aligns with CWE-1177, which addresses improper handling of network routing information and source routing mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network connectivity issues to encompass potential security breaches and unauthorized access to networked environments. Attackers could exploit this weakness to redirect traffic through unintended network paths, potentially intercepting sensitive data or gaining access to systems that would normally be protected by standard network segmentation. The issue affects wireless network infrastructure components that are critical to enterprise and home network environments, making it particularly concerning from a security perspective. The vulnerability creates opportunities for attackers to perform network reconnaissance and potentially establish persistent access points within network environments where source routing was not expected to be operational.
The mitigation strategy involves applying the firmware updates mentioned in the CVE description, specifically AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.8.1 and AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.9.1. These updates restore proper network security controls by ensuring that source-routed packets are handled according to established security policies. Network administrators should prioritize deployment of these updates across all affected AirPort base station devices to eliminate the security risk. The fix addresses the root cause by re-enforcing the default security configuration that previously disabled source routing, thereby preventing unexpected packet acceptance. Organizations should also consider implementing additional network monitoring to detect any anomalous packet routing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and proper network security configuration management as outlined in various cybersecurity frameworks including those referenced in the ATT&CK framework for network security operations.