CVE-2020-20213 : Security Advisory and Response

Mikrotik RouterOs 6.44.5 (long-term tree) suffers from a stack exhaustion vulnerability in the /nova/bin/net process, allowing an authenticated remote attacker to cause a Denial of Service by overloading the system's CPU.

Understanding CVE-2020-20213

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOs 6.44.5 that can be exploited by an authenticated remote attacker to disrupt services by overloading the CPU.

What is CVE-2020-20213?

CVE-2020-20213 is a stack exhaustion vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOs 6.44.5, which can be triggered by an authenticated remote attacker, leading to a Denial of Service condition.

The Impact of CVE-2020-20213

The vulnerability allows attackers to overload the CPU of affected systems, resulting in a Denial of Service, disrupting normal operations and potentially causing downtime.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-20213

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the /nova/bin/net process of Mikrotik RouterOs 6.44.5, leading to stack exhaustion when exploited by an authenticated remote attacker.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Mikrotik RouterOs 6.44.5 (long-term tree)
Affected Versions: All versions of Mikrotik RouterOs 6.44.5

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted requests to the /nova/bin/net process, causing the system's CPU to be overloaded.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-20213 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates to address the vulnerability.
Monitor system performance for any signs of CPU overloading.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.
Educate users and administrators about safe practices to mitigate security risks.

Patching and Updates

Check the vendor's website for patches or updates specifically addressing CVE-2020-20213.
Apply patches promptly to ensure the system is protected against potential exploitation.