CVE-2020-17468 : Security Advisory and Response
Discover the impact of CVE-2020-17468, a vulnerability in FNET through 4.6.4 allowing for a Denial-of-Service attack. Learn about affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps.
An issue was discovered in FNET through 4.6.4 where a vulnerability in the code processing the hop-by-hop header in IPv6 extension headers could lead to a Denial-of-Service attack.
Understanding CVE-2020-17468
This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in FNET through version 4.6.4 that could be exploited to cause a Denial-of-Service.
What is CVE-2020-17468?
The vulnerability in FNET through version 4.6.4 allows for an out-of-bounds read due to inadequate length validation in the extension header processing code, potentially resulting in a Denial-of-Service attack.
The Impact of CVE-2020-17468
The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to trigger a Denial-of-Service condition, disrupting the normal operation of the affected system.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-17468
This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises from the lack of validation for the length of an extension header in the IPv6 extension headers processing code, specifically in _fnet_ip6_ext_header_handler_options in fnet_ip6.c.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: FNET
- Versions affected: Through 4.6.4
Exploitation Mechanism
The vulnerability can be exploited by sending specially crafted packets to the target system, triggering the out-of-bounds read in the extension header processing code.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-17468 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious traffic.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate weaknesses in the network infrastructure.
Patching and Updates
Ensure that the FNET software is updated to a version beyond 4.6.4 to eliminate the vulnerability.