CVE-2018-17012 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A problem 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 excessively long JSON data.

Understanding CVE-2018-17012

This CVE describes a vulnerability in TP-Link routers that allows attackers to disrupt router services by exploiting a specific function with long JSON data.

What is CVE-2018-17012?

This CVE pertains to a security flaw in TP-Link TL-WR886N 6.0 2.3.4 and TL-WR886N 7.0 1.1.0 devices. Attackers with authentication can crash various router services by sending oversized JSON data.

The Impact of CVE-2018-17012

The vulnerability enables attackers to disrupt critical router services, including inetd, HTTP, DNS, and UPnP, leading to service unavailability and potential denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-17012

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue allows authenticated attackers to crash router services by exploiting the hosts_info set_block_flag up_limit function with excessively long JSON data.

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 can trigger the vulnerability by sending oversized JSON data for the hosts_info set_block_flag up_limit function, causing the router services to crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-17012 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update router firmware to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from TP-Link and apply patches as soon as they are available.