>From Cert.org. The complete text may be found at http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/412115
The Ethernet standard (IEEE 802.3) specifies a minimum data field size of 46 bytes. If a higher layer protocol such as IP provides packet data that is smaller than 46 bytes, the device driver must fill the remainder of the data field with a "pad". For IP datagrams, RFC1042 specifies that "the data field should be padded (with octets of zero) to meet the IEEE 802 minimum frame size requirements." Researchers from @Stake have discovered that, contrary to the recommendations of RFC1042, many Ethernet device drivers fail to pad frames with null bytes. Instead, these device drivers reuse previously transmitted frame data to pad frames smaller than 46 bytes. This constitutes an information leakage vulnerability that may allow remote attackers to harvest potentially sensitive information. Depending upon the implementation of an affected device driver, the leaked information may originate from dynamic kernel memory, from static system memory allocated to the device driver, or from a hardware buffer located on the network interface card. Paul Borghese Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=60698&t=60698 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]