CVE-2018-17011 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified on TP-Link TL-WR886N 6.0 2.3.4 and TL-WR886N 7.0 1.1.0 devices where authenticated attackers can crash router services by sending large JSON data for the hosts_info parameter.

Understanding CVE-2018-17011

This CVE involves a vulnerability on specific TP-Link router models that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt router services.

What is CVE-2018-17011?

The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to crash router services, including inetd, HTTP, DNS, and UPnP, by sending excessive JSON data for the hosts_info parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17011

Attackers with authentication can disrupt critical router services, leading to service unavailability and potential denial of service (DoS) conditions.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17011

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue affects TP-Link TL-WR886N 6.0 2.3.4 and TL-WR886N 7.0 1.1.0 devices, enabling authenticated attackers to crash router services through the hosts_info parameter.

Affected Systems and Versions

TP-Link TL-WR886N 6.0 2.3.4
TP-Link TL-WR886N 7.0 1.1.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with authentication exploit the vulnerability by sending a large amount of JSON data for the hosts_info parameter, causing router services to crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-17011 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by TP-Link to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any unusual activity that might indicate an ongoing attack.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update router firmware to ensure the latest security fixes are in place.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the router.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from TP-Link and promptly apply any patches released to mitigate the vulnerability.