Full Disclosure mailing list archives
Potential denial of service bug in Cisco Pix Firewall IOS 6.2.2 a nd 6.3.(3.102)
From: John.Airey () rnib org uk
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 15:13:25 +0100
Brief Description ----------------- Users of Cisco Pix Firewalls may discover that their pool of NAT'ted IP addresses is running out, and that a reboot or reload of the firewall clears the problem. Details ------- The problem is caused by the Firewall being swamped by incoming ICMP packets on the global pool IP addresses. If these are not intercepted by a router beforehand, the incoming echo requests (that are emanating from Nachi/Welchia worm infected machines) are preventing the release of the address translation. ie, the Pix is detecting the blocked traffic as indication that the translation is still in use. I believe that this bug also affects the recent security update version 6.3(3.102) detailed at www.cisco.com/en/US/tech/tk583/tk618/technologies_security_advisory09186a008 01c5975.shtml. I have been unable (and unwilling) to test this, but given that a permanent fix is being worked on it is undoubtedly the case. Workaround ---------- For those who are unable to block incoming ICMP echo requests at their router (for whatever reason), Cisco have sent me the following details: "1- use PAT (a global pool with a single entry) this way although the xlate will remain up but all your internal hosts will be multiplexed over this pat address. single pat address can accomodate in theory 65535 connections. however this might break un-PATable traffic 2- use statics for your important servers that need NAT (1 to 1 mapping) 3- also instead of rebooting the whole pix you can simply log into it and do "clear xlate" this will clear all translations." It should be pointed out that "2" is not a solution to this problem. The others are not ideal either. Permanent fix ------------- I have been informed that Cisco are aware of this and that a bug fix is being worked on. Other ----- I am releasing this notification as there may well be system adminstrators who are still suffering from this problem. Specifically the release of this information cannot lead to any further attacks against systems that are already affected. Unfortunately Cisco have not updated their information regarding mitigation against the Nachi/Welchia worm at www.cisco.com/en/US/products/sw/voicesw/ps556/products_tech_note09186a00801b 143a.shtml The mitigation information only covers outgoing connections. I have asked Cisco for a fix to for this twice, and at present I am still waiting for a resolution to my second request. Apologies for the evil Outlook word-wrapping, which may render URLs above useless. Please be kind to me. This is my first security vulnerability I've ever posted. - John Airey, BSc (Jt Hons), CNA, RHCE Internet systems support officer, ITCSD, Royal National Institute of the Blind, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, Tel.: +44 (0) 1733 375299 Fax: +44 (0) 1733 370848 John.Airey () rnib org uk Our world is intolerant, and always will be. We kid ourselves when we think that those who have different values can tolerate each other. - DISCLAIMER: NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient you should not use, disclose, distribute or copy any of the content of it or of any attachment; you are requested to notify the sender immediately of your receipt of the email and then to delete it and any attachments from your system. RNIB endeavours to ensure that emails and any attachments generated by its staff are free from viruses or other contaminants. However, it cannot accept any responsibility for any such which are transmitted. We therefore recommend you scan all attachments. Please note that the statements and views expressed in this email and any attachments are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RNIB. RNIB Registered Charity Number: 226227 Website: http://www.rnib.org.uk _______________________________________________ Full-Disclosure - We believe in it. Charter: http://lists.netsys.com/full-disclosure-charter.html
Current thread:
- Potential denial of service bug in Cisco Pix Firewall IOS 6.2.2 a nd 6.3.(3.102) John . Airey (Oct 03)
- Re: Potential denial of service bug in Cisco Pix Firewall IOS 6.2.2 a nd 6.3.(3.102) Ilker Temir (Oct 03)