The PE router must be configured to ignore or block all packets with any IP options.

Associated with: CCI-002403

SV-93023r1_rule The PE router must be configured to ignore or block all packets with any IP options.

Vulnerability discussion

Packets with IP options are not fast switched and therefore must be punted to the router processor. Hackers who initiate denial-of-service (DoS) attacks on routers commonly send large streams of packets with IP options. Dropping the packets with IP options reduces the load of IP options packets on the router. The end result is a reduction in the effects of the DoS attack on the router and on downstream routers.

Check content

Review the router configuration to determine if it will block all packets with IP options. If the router is not configured to drop all packets with IP options, this is a finding.

Fix text

Configure the router to drop all packets with IP options.

Pro Tips

Lavender hyperlinks in small type off to the right (of CSS class id, if you view the page source) point to globally unique URIs for each document and item. Copy the link location and paste anywhere you need to talk unambiguously about these things.

You can obtain data about documents and items in other formats. Simply provide an HTTP header Accept: text/turtle or Accept: application/rdf+xml.