CVE-2018-1156 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Mikrotik RouterOS versions prior to 6.42.7 and 6.40.9 are susceptible to a stack buffer overflow vulnerability when accessing the license upgrade interface, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code.

Understanding CVE-2018-1156

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS that could lead to unauthorized code execution on affected systems.

What is CVE-2018-1156?

The vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS versions before 6.42.7 and 6.40.9 allows authenticated remote attackers to trigger a stack buffer overflow via the license upgrade interface, enabling the execution of arbitrary code.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1156

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a severe security breach, allowing attackers to take control of the affected systems and execute malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1156

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE-2018-1156 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS is due to a stack buffer overflow issue in versions prior to 6.42.7 and 6.40.9 when interacting with the license upgrade interface.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mikrotik RouterOS versions before 6.42.7
Mikrotik RouterOS versions before 6.40.9

Exploitation Mechanism

Remote authenticated attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the license upgrade interface, triggering the stack buffer overflow and potentially executing arbitrary code on the target system.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address and prevent the CVE-2018-1156 vulnerability, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mikrotik RouterOS to version 6.42.7 or 6.40.9, which contain patches to address the stack buffer overflow vulnerability.
Restrict network access to the license upgrade interface to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor security advisories and updates from Mikrotik to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of security breaches.

Patching and Updates

Apply all recommended security patches and updates provided by Mikrotik promptly to ensure the protection of your systems.