CVE-2017-12151 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in the encryption method used by Samba client versions prior to Samba 4.4.16, Samba 4.5.14, and Samba 4.6.8 when the max protocol is set as SMB3. This vulnerability enables an attacker to intercept the connection and gain unauthorized access to or modify the connection's data, especially in the case of DFS redirects.

Understanding CVE-2017-12151

This CVE relates to a flaw in the encryption process of Samba client versions.

What is CVE-2017-12151?

CVE-2017-12151 is a vulnerability in Samba client versions before 4.4.16, 4.5.14, and 4.6.8 that allows unauthorized access or modification of connection data.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12151

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.4, indicating a high severity level. It can lead to unauthorized access or modification of data in affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12151

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Samba client versions prior to 4.4.16, 4.5.14, and 4.6.8 allows attackers to bypass encryption when the max protocol is set as SMB3, potentially leading to data interception or modification.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Samba
Vendor: Samba
Versions Affected: 4.4.16, 4.5.14, 4.6.8

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by intercepting connections and gaining unauthorized access to or modifying the data, particularly in scenarios involving DFS redirects.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12151 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches provided by the vendor promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Implement strong encryption and authentication mechanisms.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify weaknesses.
Educate users on secure practices to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Refer to vendor advisories for specific patching instructions.
Keep systems up to date with the latest security updates.