CVE-2017-12706 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Researchers discovered a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Advantech WebAccess versions prior to V8.2_20170817, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Understanding CVE-2017-12706

What is CVE-2017-12706?

This CVE refers to a security flaw in Advantech WebAccess versions before V8.2_20170817, where user-supplied data length is not properly validated before copying to a stack-based buffer.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12706

The vulnerability could enable malicious actors to run arbitrary code within the process's context, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12706

Vulnerability Description

A stack-based buffer overflow issue in Advantech WebAccess versions prior to V8.2_20170817 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code due to improper validation of user-supplied data length.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Advantech WebAccess
Versions: All versions before V8.2_20170817

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data length to overflow the stack-based buffer and execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Advantech WebAccess to version V8.2_20170817 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and patch software for known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Advantech.