CVE-2021-32771 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the details of CVE-2021-32771, a buffer overflow vulnerability in Contiki-NG versions below 4.8. Learn about its impact, technical details, affected systems, exploitation mechanism, and mitigation steps.
This CVE-2021-32771 article provides an overview of a buffer overflow vulnerability in Contiki-NG affecting versions lower than 4.8.
Understanding CVE-2021-32771
In this section, we will delve into the details of the CVE-2021-32771 vulnerability.
What is CVE-2021-32771?
CVE-2021-32771 is a buffer overflow vulnerability in Contiki-NG, an open-source operating system for IoT devices. The vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger a buffer overflow when copying an IPv6 address prefix in the RPL-Classic implementation within Contiki-NG. To exploit this vulnerability, the system must have joined an RPL DODAG.
The Impact of CVE-2021-32771
The impact of this vulnerability is rated as high due to its potential to cause a buffer overflow, leading to availability, confidentiality, and integrity issues within affected systems.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-32771
This section covers the technical details of the CVE-2021-32771 vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of IPv6 address prefix copying in the RPL-Classic implementation of Contiki-NG, leading to a buffer overflow.
Affected Systems and Versions
Contiki-NG versions lower than 4.8 are affected by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a malicious DAO packet with a Target option containing a prefix length larger than 128 bits.
Mitigation and Prevention
Learn how to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-32771 vulnerability in the following section.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update their Contiki-NG systems to version 4.8 or later to address this vulnerability. For those unable to upgrade immediately, applying the patch in Contiki-NG PR #1615 is recommended.
Long-Term Security Practices
In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular software updates, security patches, and code reviews to prevent similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about the latest security releases and patches for Contiki-NG to ensure your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.