CVE-2020-15898 : Security Advisory and Response
Learn about CVE-2020-15898, a vulnerability in Arista EOS allowing incorrect forwarding of malformed packets across VLAN boundaries. Find out affected systems, exploitation risks, and mitigation steps.
A vulnerability in Arista EOS allows malformed packets to be incorrectly forwarded across VLAN boundaries in one direction, affecting specific platform versions.
Understanding CVE-2020-15898
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Arista EOS that can lead to the incorrect forwarding of malformed packets across VLAN boundaries.
What is CVE-2020-15898?
The vulnerability in Arista EOS allows for the incorrect forwarding of malformed packets across VLAN boundaries in one direction, making it susceptible to exploitation by unidirectional traffic like UDP.
The Impact of CVE-2020-15898
This vulnerability affects specific platform versions within the EOS 7170, EOS X-Series, and other train releases of Arista EOS.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-15898
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability allows malformed packets to be incorrectly forwarded across VLAN boundaries in one direction, impacting specific platform versions.
Affected Systems and Versions
- EOS 7170 platforms version 4.21.4.1F and below in the 4.21.x train
- EOS X-Series versions 4.21.11M and below in the 4.21.x train
- EOS X-Series versions 4.22.6M and below in the 4.22.x train
- EOS X-Series versions 4.23.4M and below in the 4.23.x train
- EOS X-Series versions 4.24.2.1F and below in the 4.24.x train
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability is exploitable by unidirectional traffic such as UDP but not bidirectional traffic like TCP.
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2020-15898, follow these mitigation steps:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches as soon as they are available
- Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch network devices
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify vulnerabilities
Patching and Updates
- Stay informed about security advisories from Arista
- Apply recommended patches and updates promptly