CVE-2017-6657 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2017-6657 affecting Cisco Sourcefire Snort 3.0. Discover the impact, technical details, affected systems, exploitation risks, and mitigation steps for this vulnerability.
Cisco Sourcefire Snort 3.0 before build 233 mishandles Ether Type Validation, potentially leading to a crash due to incorrect handling of IP protocol numbers in the ether type field.
Understanding CVE-2017-6657
This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco Sourcefire Snort 3.0 before build 233 related to Ether Type Validation.
What is CVE-2017-6657?
The issue arises from the incorrect handling of Ether Type Validation in Snort 3.0, allowing the creation of packets with IP protocol numbers in the ether type field, causing confusion for the decoder.
The Impact of CVE-2017-6657
The vulnerability can lead to a crash when processing certain packets due to the absence of necessary headers for checksum calculations.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-6657
This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
- Snort++ stores all protocol decoders in a single array, enabling the crafting of packets with IP protocol numbers in the ether type field.
- Affected decoders include gre, llc, trans_bridge, ciscometadata, linux_sll, and token_ring.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Snort 3.0 All versions prior to build 233 are vulnerable.
Exploitation Mechanism
- Crafting packets with IP protocol numbers in the ether type field can trigger the vulnerability, potentially leading to a crash.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2017-6657 requires specific actions to mitigate the risk.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the necessary patch provided by the vendor to address the Ether Type Validation issue.
- Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation related to this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update Snort installations to ensure the latest security patches are in place.
- Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and promptly apply any patches or updates released to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2017-6657.