CVE-2021-36764 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability in CODESYS Gateway V3 before 3.5.17.10 could allow crafted communication requests to trigger a denial-of-service condition.

Understanding CVE-2021-36764

This CVE involves a NULL Pointer Dereference issue in CODESYS Gateway V3, leading to potential denial-of-service attacks.

What is CVE-2021-36764?

CVE-2021-36764 is a security flaw in CODESYS Gateway V3 that allows attackers to exploit crafted communication requests, resulting in a Null pointer dereference and potentially causing a denial-of-service situation.

The Impact of CVE-2021-36764

The vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt the normal operation of affected CODESYS products, leading to a denial-of-service condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-36764

This section covers the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

In CODESYS Gateway V3 before 3.5.17.10, a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability exists, which can be triggered by specially crafted communication requests, potentially resulting in a denial-of-service scenario.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects CODESYS Gateway V3 versions prior to 3.5.17.10.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending malicious communication requests to the vulnerable CODESYS products, causing a Null pointer dereference and leading to a denial-of-service state.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2021-36764, follow the mitigation strategies outlined below.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the following immediate actions to mitigate the risk posed by the vulnerability:

Update CODESYS Gateway V3 to version 3.5.17.10 or later.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity targeting the affected systems.

Long-Term Security Practices

Incorporate the following practices into your security protocols for long-term protection:

Regularly update and patch all software components in your environment.
Conduct thorough security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by the vendor as soon as they are released to ensure that your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities.