CVE-2019-16754 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

RIOT 2019.07 contains a vulnerability that could lead to a network node crash if exploited by an attacker through a NULL pointer dereference in its MQTT-SN implementation.

Understanding CVE-2019-16754

This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in RIOT 2019.07 related to a NULL pointer dereference in its MQTT-SN implementation.

What is CVE-2019-16754?

The vulnerability in RIOT 2019.07 allows an attacker to crash a network node by exploiting a NULL pointer dereference in the MQTT-SN implementation (asymcute). The attacker needs to impersonate an MQTT server and have specific knowledge to carry out the attack successfully.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16754

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in a network node running RIOT crashing, affecting the overall network's stability and performance.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16754

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference in RIOT 2019.07's MQTT-SN implementation, requiring the attacker to spoof an MQTT server response.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: RIOT 2019.07
Product: RIOT
Vendor: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit the vulnerability, the attacker must:

Impersonate an MQTT server
Know the MQTT MsgID of a pending MQTT protocol message
Identify the ephemeral port used by RIOT's MQTT implementation
Be aware of the server's IP address to successfully imitate the packet

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-16754 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by RIOT to address the vulnerability
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities
Conduct security training for personnel to enhance awareness of potential threats

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from RIOT and apply patches promptly to mitigate risks