CVE-2017-12174 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the impact of CVE-2017-12174 affecting Artemis and HornetQ versions before 2.4.0. Learn about the vulnerability, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
An issue was discovered where Artemis and HornetQ versions before 2.4.0 generate a large byte array when they receive an unexpected multicast message while being configured with UDP discovery and JGroups discovery. This could potentially lead to heap memory exhaustion, full garbage collection, or an OutOfMemoryError.
Understanding CVE-2017-12174
What is CVE-2017-12174?
CVE-2017-12174 is a vulnerability found in Artemis and HornetQ versions before 2.4.0 that can result in heap memory exhaustion or OutOfMemoryError due to the generation of a large byte array when receiving unexpected multicast messages.
The Impact of CVE-2017-12174
This vulnerability could lead to severe consequences such as heap memory exhaustion, full garbage collection, or an OutOfMemoryError, affecting the stability and performance of the affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2017-12174
Vulnerability Description
Artemis and HornetQ versions before 2.4.0 are susceptible to generating large byte arrays upon receiving unexpected multicast messages, potentially causing memory-related issues.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: HornetQ/Artemis
- Vendor: Red Hat, Inc.
- Versions Affected: Before 2.4.0
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability is triggered when the affected systems receive unexpected multicast messages while configured with UDP discovery and JGroups discovery, leading to the generation of large byte arrays and subsequent memory-related problems.
Mitigation and Prevention
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update to version 2.4.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement network segmentation to reduce the impact of potential attacks.
- Monitor system resources for any signs of memory exhaustion.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.
- Educate personnel on best practices for network security and threat awareness.
Patching and Updates
Ensure timely installation of security patches and updates provided by Red Hat, Inc. to address CVE-2017-12174.