CVE-2018-16667 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability in Contiki-NG, up to version 4.1, has been identified, involving a buffer over-read in the lookup function within the os/storage/antelope/lvm.c file during the parsing of AQL.

Understanding CVE-2018-16667

This CVE-2018-16667 relates to a buffer over-read vulnerability in Contiki-NG.

What is CVE-2018-16667?

The vulnerability in Contiki-NG, up to version 4.1, allows for a buffer over-read in the lookup function within the os/storage/antelope/lvm.c file during the parsing of AQL.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16667

The vulnerability could potentially be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16667

This section provides technical details of the CVE-2018-16667 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue involves a buffer over-read in the lookup function within the os/storage/antelope/lvm.c file while parsing AQL (lvm_register_variable, lvm_set_variable_value, create_intersection, create_union).

Affected Systems and Versions

Contiki-NG up to version 4.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability occurs during the parsing of AQL, specifically in functions like lvm_register_variable, lvm_set_variable_value, create_intersection, and create_union.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-16667, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Contiki-NG to version 4.2 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor vendor communications for patches or workarounds.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and firmware to the latest versions.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Contiki-NG promptly to fix the vulnerability.