CVE-2021-43268 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered in VxWorks 6.9 through 7, where a crafted packet in the IKE component may lead to buffer overflow or a double free.

Understanding CVE-2021-43268

What is CVE-2021-43268?

CVE-2021-43268 is a vulnerability found in VxWorks 6.9 through 7 that could allow an attacker to read beyond the end of a buffer or perform a double free due to a specially crafted packet in the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) component.

The Impact of CVE-2021-43268

This vulnerability could potentially be exploited by attackers to perform remote code execution or crash the affected system, leading to a denial of service condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-43268

Vulnerability Description

The issue in VxWorks 6.9 through 7 allows for reading beyond the buffer's end or causing a double free in the IKE component, which could result in a security compromise.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: VxWorks 6.9 through 7
Vendor: N/A
Affected Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can send a specially crafted packet to the vulnerable IKE component, triggering the buffer overflow or double free, potentially leading to unauthorized access or system instability.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates as soon as they are available.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure to the vulnerable component.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Conduct routine security audits and assessments to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

It is vital to apply patches or updates provided by the vendor promptly to fix the vulnerability in the affected VxWorks versions.