V-206921

Discussion

Packet fragmentation is allowed by the TCP/IP specifications and is encouraged in situations where it is needed. However, packet fragmentation has been used to make some attacks harder to detect (by placing them within fragmented packets), and unusual fragmentation has also been used as a form of attack. For example, some network-based attacks have used packets that should not exist in normal communications, such as sending some fragments of a packet but not the first fragment, or sending packet fragments that overlap each other. These, and other types of packet fragmentation, aim to evade the IDPS. Since it is usually not possible to test this capability in a production environment, systems should either be validated in a testing environment or prior to installation. This requirement is usually a function of the design of the IDPS component. Compliance can be verified by acceptance/validation processes or vendor attestation.

Check Content

Verify the IDPS, for fragmented packets, either blocks the packets or properly reassembles the packets before inspecting and forwarding.

For fragmented packets, if the IDPS does not either block the packets or properly reassemble the packets before inspecting and forwarding, this is a finding.