CVE-2012-5970 in E585u-82
Summary
by MITRE
The Huawei E585 device allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and device outage) via crafted HTTP requests, as demonstrated by unspecified vulnerability-scanning software.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The Huawei E585 device represents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2012-5970, which exposes the device to remote denial of service attacks through carefully crafted HTTP requests. This vulnerability stems from a NULL pointer dereference condition that occurs when the device processes malformed or specially constructed HTTP traffic. The flaw manifests as a critical system failure that results in complete device outage, effectively rendering the communication device inoperable. The vulnerability was specifically demonstrated against the Huawei E585 model, which is a 3G mobile broadband device commonly used for wireless internet connectivity in various enterprise and consumer environments. The attack vector operates entirely over the network without requiring physical access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from remote locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the device's web server component failing to properly validate incoming HTTP requests before attempting to process them. When a malicious actor sends a crafted HTTP request containing specific malformed parameters or headers, the device's HTTP handler attempts to dereference a NULL pointer, leading to an immediate system crash. This NULL pointer dereference represents a classic software bug pattern that has been categorized under CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities in software systems. The device's failure to implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms creates an exploitable condition that can be systematically targeted by vulnerability scanning tools. The attack demonstrates how embedded network devices can be compromised through HTTP-based protocols, even when they are not directly exposed to end users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device unavailability to encompass broader network reliability concerns and potential business disruption. When the Huawei E585 device experiences a denial of service condition, it creates a cascading effect that can impact communication services, particularly in environments where these devices serve as primary internet connectivity solutions. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate device but also any systems dependent on its network connectivity, potentially causing service interruptions for connected users and applications. Organizations utilizing these devices in critical infrastructure roles face significant risk, as the device outage can occur without warning and may require manual intervention to restore functionality. The vulnerability scanning software demonstration suggests that automated attack tools can readily identify and exploit this condition, making it a particularly attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt network services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5970 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements to device security. Network administrators should implement strict HTTP traffic filtering and validation at network boundaries to prevent malformed requests from reaching the vulnerable device. The most effective immediate solution involves applying firmware updates from Huawei that address the specific NULL pointer dereference condition. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control measures can limit the potential impact of such attacks by isolating vulnerable devices from critical network segments. From a defensive perspective, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, and organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, which are fundamental requirements in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar conditions in other network devices and embedded systems within the organization's infrastructure.