Title

The PE router must be configured to ignore or block all packets with any IP options. (Cat II impact)

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.

Additional Identifiers

Rule ID: SV-216981r945860_rule

Vulnerability ID: V-216981

Group Title: SRG-NET-000205

Expert Comments

CCIs tied to check.

Controls tied to check. These are derived from the CCIs shown above.