CVE-2012-6570 in S3700
Summary
by MITRE
The HTTP module in the (1) Branch Intelligent Management System (BIMS) and (2) web management components on Huawei AR routers and S2000, S3000, S3500, S3900, S5100, S5600, S7800, and S8500 switches does not check whether HTTP data is longer than the value of the Content-Length field, which allows remote HTTP servers to conduct heap-based buffer overflow attacks and execute arbitrary code via a crafted response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-6570 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the HTTP module of Huawei's network infrastructure products. This security weakness affects both the Branch Intelligent Management System (BIMS) and web management components across multiple Huawei router and switch models including AR routers and various S-series switches. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of HTTP response data where the system fails to verify that received HTTP content adheres to the Content-Length header specification. This fundamental flaw creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to manipulate memory structures within the affected devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the HTTP module processes responses from remote HTTP servers without proper bounds checking against the Content-Length field. When an attacker crafts a malicious HTTP response with content that exceeds the declared Content-Length value, the system's heap allocation mechanism becomes compromised. This heap-based buffer overflow allows malicious actors to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the affected network device. The vulnerability specifically targets the web management interfaces of these devices, making them susceptible to remote exploitation without requiring local access or authentication credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-6570 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and availability of critical network infrastructure. Network administrators managing Huawei AR routers and S-series switches face significant risks including unauthorized access to sensitive network configurations, potential data exfiltration, and complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects devices that serve as core network management points, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or disrupt network operations. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can target these devices from outside the network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or internal network presence.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation within network protocol handling components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a remote code execution technique that could enable initial access and privilege escalation within targeted networks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Huawei, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for anomalous HTTP traffic patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management in network infrastructure devices and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of web management interfaces in enterprise networking equipment.