CVE-2021-42141 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in Contiki-NG tinyDTLS through 2018-08-30 where one incorrect handshake could complete with different epoch numbers in the packets, leading to denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2021-42141

What is CVE-2021-42141?

CVE-2021-42141 is a vulnerability found in Contiki-NG tinyDTLS through 2018-08-30, allowing completion of an incorrect handshake with different epoch numbers in specific packets, potentially resulting in a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2021-42141

This vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to cause denial of service, disrupting the normal operation of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-42141

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an incorrect handshake completion with varied epoch numbers in the packets Client_Hello, Client_key_exchange, and Change_cipher_spec.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Versions Affected: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation involves completing a handshake with mismatched epoch numbers, potentially leading to denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches if available to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network-level protections to detect and block malicious handshake attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories related to Contiki-NG and apply patches promptly to safeguard systems.