CVE-2020-16124 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability in the XML RPC library of OpenRobotics ros_comm communications packages allows unauthenticated network traffic to cause unexpected behavior. This affects OpenRobotics ros_comm communications packages Noetic and prior versions.

Understanding CVE-2020-16124

This CVE involves an Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability in the ROS communications library of OpenRobotics.

What is CVE-2020-16124?

The vulnerability in the XML RPC library of OpenRobotics ros_comm communications packages allows unauthenticated network traffic to trigger unexpected behavior.

The Impact of CVE-2020-16124

The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.3, indicating a high severity level. It can be exploited via a low-complexity network attack, potentially leading to availability, integrity, and confidentiality issues.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-16124

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability in the XML RPC library of OpenRobotics ros_comm communications packages can be exploited by unauthenticated network traffic.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ros_comm ROS communications packages
Vendor: OpenRobotics
Versions affected: Noetic and prior versions

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited through unauthenticated network traffic, causing unexpected behavior in the affected systems.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-16124 with the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply the patch provided in the solution section.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch your ROS communications packages.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the fix available at https://github.com/ros/ros_comm/pull/2065.