CVE-2019-12261 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security vulnerability has been identified in Wind River VxWorks versions 6.7 through 6.9 and vx7, specifically in the TCP component, involving a Buffer Overflow in the IPNET.

Understanding CVE-2019-12261

This CVE involves a Buffer Overflow in the TCP component of Wind River VxWorks versions 6.7 through 6.9 and vx7, leading to state confusion in the TCP Urgent Pointer during a connect() operation to a remote host.

What is CVE-2019-12261?

The vulnerability in Wind River VxWorks versions 6.7 through 6.9 and vx7 allows attackers to exploit a Buffer Overflow in the IPNET, causing state confusion in the TCP Urgent Pointer during a connect() operation to a remote host.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12261

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code, cause a denial of service, or potentially gain unauthorized access to systems running the affected versions of Wind River VxWorks.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12261

The technical details of this CVE include:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a Buffer Overflow in the TCP component of Wind River VxWorks versions 6.7 through 6.9 and vx7, leading to state confusion in the TCP Urgent Pointer during a connect() operation to a remote host.

Affected Systems and Versions

Wind River VxWorks versions 6.7 through 6.9
Wind River VxWorks vx7

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending specially crafted packets to the target system, triggering the Buffer Overflow in the IPNET and causing state confusion in the TCP Urgent Pointer.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-12261, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches and updates provided by Wind River to fix the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Educate users and IT staff about security best practices to enhance overall cybersecurity posture.

Patching and Updates

Wind River has released patches to address the vulnerability in affected versions. Ensure timely application of these patches to secure systems against potential exploitation.