CVE-2017-10978 : Security Advisory and Response

A flaw, known as FR-GV-201, has been discovered in older versions of FreeRADIUS (2.x before 2.2.10 and 3.x before 3.0.15). This vulnerability, referred to as "Read / write overflow in make_secret()", can be exploited to cause a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2017-10978

This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in FreeRADIUS versions 2.x before 2.2.10 and 3.x before 3.0.15 that can lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2017-10978?

CVE-2017-10978, also known as FR-GV-201, is a security flaw in FreeRADIUS that allows for a read/write overflow in the make_secret() function, potentially resulting in a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2017-10978

The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to disrupt the normal operation of FreeRADIUS servers, leading to a denial of service condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-10978

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2017-10978 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in FreeRADIUS versions 2.x before 2.2.10 and 3.x before 3.0.15 allows for a read/write overflow in the make_secret() function, posing a risk of denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

FreeRADIUS 2.x versions prior to 2.2.10
FreeRADIUS 3.x versions before 3.0.15

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious requests that trigger the read/write overflow in the make_secret() function, causing the service to crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-10978, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FreeRADIUS to version 2.2.10 or 3.0.15, which contain fixes for the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate an ongoing attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from FreeRADIUS and promptly apply patches to secure your systems.