- LACNIC reported that obsolete BGP attributes caused numerous session shutdowns in 2023, disrupting connectivity for several autonomous systems.
- The incident highlights the urgent need for updated routing infrastructure to mitigate security vulnerabilities and ensure network stability.
What happened: BGP disruptions highlight LACNIC’s challenges
In January 2025, LACNIC reported on significant disruptions caused by obsolete BGP attributes within its region. In 2023, numerous BGP sessions were shut down due to these outdated attributes in routing announcements, impacting the connectivity of various autonomous systems (AS).
The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is essential for the functioning of the internet, facilitating the exchange of routing information among AS. As BGP attributes evolve, some become obsolete, leading to router incompatibility and potential security vulnerabilities.
One notable incident involved the Entropy Label attribute, which caused sessions to drop across multiple BGP implementations. This incident underscores the critical need for a robust and updated routing infrastructure to maintain internet stability.
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Why it’s important
The implications of LACNIC‘s findings extend beyond immediate connectivity issues, highlighting broader concerns within internet governance. As the internet landscape rapidly evolves, outdated protocols and attributes can pose severe risks, particularly as networks become more complex.
The persistence of obsolete BGP attributes can lead to increased vulnerabilities, making networks susceptible to manipulation or disruption. Security analysts have warned that the risks associated with these attributes require urgent attention from network operators.
Moreover, as organisations increasingly rely on the internet for their operations, maintaining a resilient routing infrastructure becomes paramount. The rise of IoT devices and cloud computing further complicates the network environment, necessitating updates to routing protocols to accommodate growing traffic demands.
LACNIC’s exploration of these obsolete attributes serves as a timely reminder of the need to modernise routing policies and practices across the industry.By fostering awareness of these challenges, stakeholders can better understand the importance of adhering to updated standards and protocols, ensuring the long-term stability and security of the internet. The industry must collectively address these issues to safeguard the infrastructure that underpins global connectivity.
