CVE-2020-20266 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Mikrotik RouterOs before 6.47 (stable tree) suffers from a memory corruption vulnerability in the /nova/bin/dot1x process, allowing an authenticated remote attacker to cause a Denial of Service (NULL pointer dereference).

Understanding CVE-2020-20266

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOs that can be exploited by an authenticated remote attacker.

What is CVE-2020-20266?

CVE-2020-20266 is a memory corruption vulnerability in the /nova/bin/dot1x process of Mikrotik RouterOs before version 6.47. This vulnerability enables an authenticated remote attacker to trigger a Denial of Service (DoS) by causing a NULL pointer dereference.

The Impact of CVE-2020-20266

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a DoS condition, disrupting the normal operation of affected Mikrotik RouterOs systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-20266

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the /nova/bin/dot1x process of Mikrotik RouterOs before 6.47 allows an authenticated remote attacker to exploit a memory corruption issue, resulting in a NULL pointer dereference and potential DoS.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Mikrotik RouterOs before version 6.47
Affected Component: /nova/bin/dot1x process

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to be authenticated remotely. By sending specially crafted requests to the vulnerable /nova/bin/dot1x process, the attacker can trigger the memory corruption leading to a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-20266 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mikrotik RouterOs to version 6.47 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity targeting the /nova/bin/dot1x process.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access to the system.
Regularly review and apply security patches and updates to all system components.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of security patches provided by Mikrotik for RouterOs.
Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Mikrotik to address potential vulnerabilities.