Skip to content

The Palo Alto Networks security platform must block outbound ICMP Destination Unreachable, Redirect, and Address Mask reply messages.

An XCCDF Rule

Description

<VulnDiscussion>Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) messages are used to provide feedback about problems in the network. These messages are sent back to the sender to support diagnostics. However, some messages can also provide host information and network topology that may be exploited by an attacker. Three ICMP messages are commonly used by attackers for network mapping: Destination Unreachable, Redirect, and Address Mask Reply. These responses must be blocked on external interfaces; however, blocking the Destination Unreachable response will prevent Path Maximum Transmission Unit Discovery (PMTUD), which relies on the response "ICMP Destination Unreachable--Fragmentation Needed but DF Bit Set". PMTUD is a useful function and should only be "broken" after careful consideration. An acceptable alternative to blocking all Destination Unreachable responses is to filter Destination Unreachable messages generated by the IDPS to allow ICMP Destination Unreachable-Fragmentation Needed but DF Bit Set (Type 3, Code 4) and apply this filter to the external interfaces.</VulnDiscussion><FalsePositives></FalsePositives><FalseNegatives></FalseNegatives><Documentable>false</Documentable><Mitigations></Mitigations><SeverityOverrideGuidance></SeverityOverrideGuidance><PotentialImpacts></PotentialImpacts><ThirdPartyTools></ThirdPartyTools><MitigationControl></MitigationControl><Responsibility></Responsibility><IAControls></IAControls>

ID
SV-207698r557390_rule
Severity
Medium
References
Updated



Remediation - Manual Procedure

Note: The interzone-default rule action is deny, so unless ICMP is specifically allowed by a policy, it will be denied.  If there is an explicit security policy configured allowing ICMP from an internal zone or DMZ to an outside zone, then a policy must be configured to deny outbound ICMP Destination Unreachable, Redirect, and Address Mask reply messages.

Create three custom Applications to identify ICMP Type 3, 5, and 18:
Go to Objects >> Applications
Select "Add".
In the Application window; complete the required fields In the Configuration tab, in the General section, complete the Name and Description Fields.