CVE-2020-15173 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2020-15173, a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in ACCEL-PPP, impacting versions <= 1.12.0-92-g38b6104. Discover the impact, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
ACCEL-PPP is an implementation of PPTP/PPPoE/L2TP/SSTP. The vulnerability allows a buffer overflow when processing specific l2tp control packets, potentially leading to a security breach.
Understanding CVE-2020-15173
ACCEL-PPP is susceptible to a heap buffer overflow due to improper handling of certain l2tp control packets.
What is CVE-2020-15173?
The vulnerability in ACCEL-PPP arises from a buffer overflow triggered by specific l2tp control packets with inadequate length validation.
The Impact of CVE-2020-15173
The vulnerability poses a high availability impact, with a CVSS base score of 8.2, indicating a severe threat to affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-15173
ACCEL-PPP's vulnerability stems from a buffer overflow issue in processing l2tp control packets.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows malicious actors to exploit a buffer overflow by sending crafted l2tp control packets, potentially leading to unauthorized access or denial of service.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: accel-ppp
- Vendor: accel-ppp
- Versions Affected: <= 1.12.0-92-g38b6104
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted l2tp control packets with insufficient length validation, triggering a buffer overflow.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-15173, immediate actions and long-term security practices are crucial.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply the patch provided by ACCEL-PPP to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to prevent known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that all systems running ACCEL-PPP are updated with the latest patches and security fixes to prevent exploitation of the buffer overflow vulnerability.