CVE-2017-10980 : What You Need to Know
Discover the impact of CVE-2017-10980, a memory leak vulnerability in FreeRADIUS 2.x versions prior to 2.2.10, potentially leading to denial of service. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability labeled as FR-GV-203 has been discovered in FreeRADIUS 2.x versions prior to 2.2.10, potentially leading to a denial of service due to a memory leak in the "decode_tlv()" function of the DHCP protocol.
Understanding CVE-2017-10980
This CVE entry highlights a specific vulnerability in FreeRADIUS 2.x versions that could be exploited to cause a denial of service.
What is CVE-2017-10980?
The CVE-2017-10980 vulnerability, also known as FR-GV-203, pertains to a memory leak issue within the "decode_tlv()" function of the DHCP protocol in FreeRADIUS 2.x versions prior to 2.2.10.
The Impact of CVE-2017-10980
The vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial of service if exploited by malicious actors, affecting the availability of the FreeRADIUS service.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-10980
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in FreeRADIUS 2.x versions before 2.2.10 allows for a memory leak in the "decode_tlv()" function of the DHCP protocol, leading to a denial of service.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: FreeRADIUS
- Vendor: N/A
- Versions affected: All versions prior to 2.2.10
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by triggering the memory leak in the "decode_tlv()" function of the DHCP protocol, potentially causing a denial of service.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2017-10980, it is crucial to implement immediate steps and adopt long-term security practices to enhance system resilience.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update FreeRADIUS to version 2.2.10 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by FreeRADIUS to prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.