CVE-2017-12119 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in CPP-Ethereum JSON-RPC APIs can lead to denial of service attacks due to unhandled exceptions when processing specially crafted JSON requests.

Understanding CVE-2017-12119

This CVE involves a vulnerability in CPP-Ethereum that can be exploited for denial of service attacks.

What is CVE-2017-12119?

The vulnerability in CPP-Ethereum JSON-RPC APIs allows attackers to trigger unhandled exceptions by sending malicious JSON requests, leading to denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12119

CVSS Base Score: 7.5 (High)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Availability Impact: High
This vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but can disrupt service availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12119

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from unhandled exceptions in multiple CPP-Ethereum JSON-RPC APIs, triggered by specially crafted JSON requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: CPP-Ethereum
Vendor: Talos
Affected Version: Ethereum commit 4e1015743b95821849d001618a7ce82c7c073768

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted JSON requests to cause unhandled exceptions, resulting in denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect systems from CVE-2017-12119 with the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement input validation to filter out malicious JSON requests.
Apply patches or updates provided by Talos to address the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit JSON-RPC APIs for vulnerabilities.
Train developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar issues.

Patching and Updates

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