CVE-2018-12680 : What You Need to Know

CoAPthon versions 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2 have a vulnerability in the Serialize.deserialize() method, potentially leading to denial of service attacks.

Understanding CVE-2018-12680

In December 2018, CVE-2018-12680 was published, highlighting a flaw in CoAPthon versions 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2.

What is CVE-2018-12680?

The vulnerability arises from inadequate exception handling in the Serialize.deserialize() method of CoAPthon, affecting various applications utilizing this library.

The Impact of CVE-2018-12680

Exploitation of this vulnerability can result in a denial of service when manipulated CoAP messages are received by applications like the CoAP server, client, reverse proxy, and collect CoAP server and client.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-12680

CoAPthon's vulnerability in versions 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2 is detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

The Serialize.deserialize() method mishandles specific exceptions, creating an avenue for denial of service attacks in applications using CoAPthon.

Affected Systems and Versions

CoAPthon versions 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted CoAP messages to applications utilizing CoAPthon.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-12680, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update CoAPthon to a patched version if available.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for CoAPthon and apply patches promptly to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.