CVE-2020-12514 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Pepper+Fuchs Comtrol IO-Link Master NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability affecting versions 1.5.48 and below.

Understanding CVE-2020-12514

This CVE involves a NULL Pointer Dereference issue in Pepper+Fuchs Comtrol IO-Link Master, potentially leading to a Denial of Service (DoS) in discoveryd.

What is CVE-2020-12514?

The vulnerability in Pepper+Fuchs Comtrol IO-Link Master version 1.5.48 and earlier allows attackers to exploit a NULL Pointer Dereference, resulting in a DoS condition in discoveryd.

The Impact of CVE-2020-12514

The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.6, indicating a medium severity issue with high impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-12514

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is categorized as CWE-476 - NULL Pointer Dereference, allowing attackers to trigger a DoS condition in discoveryd.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Comtrol IO-Link Master
Vendor: Pepper+Fuchs
Versions Affected: <= 1.5.48 (unspecified version type)

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: High
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: High
User Interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Vector String: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and Prevention

Effective strategies to mitigate and prevent exploitation of the vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected units with the following firmware packages:
U-Boot bootloader version 1.36 or newer
System image version 1.52 or newer
Application base version 1.6.11 or newer

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security updates and patches
Implement network segmentation and access controls
Conduct regular security assessments and audits

Patching and Updates

Apply vendor-provided patches promptly
Keep systems up to date with the latest security fixes and updates