It seems like this isn't as major as they say. Sure it's a kernel crash, but it requires a packet to be sent to a listening port. I doubt any core routers have any ports open to the public internet at all.
They are required to: BGP ports, Telnet Ports, administrative ports...blah blah blah.
What will the router route without ports open?
I had forgotten about BGP. Telnet and administrative access should be on it's own private LAN. I really cannot picture anyone administrating a large router, via telnet, over the public internet.
Ports don't need to be open on the router in order for it to route packets.