IPv6 source routing security enhancements

The IPv6 specification (RFC 2460) specifies support for IPv6 source-routed packets using a type 0 Routing extension header, requiring device and host to process the type 0 routing extension header. However, this requirement might leave a network open to a DoS attack.

A security enhancement disables sending IPv6 source-routed packets to IPv6 devices. (This enhancement conforms to RFC 5095.)

By default, when the router drops a source-routed packet, it sends an ICMP Parameter Problem (type 4), Header Error (code 0) message to the packet's source address, pointing to the unrecognized routing type.