CVE-2013-0712 in VxWorks
Summary
by MITRE
IPSSH (aka the SSH server) in Wind River VxWorks 6.5 through 6.9 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (daemon outage) via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0712 affects the IPSSH implementation within Wind River VxWorks operating systems versions 6.5 through 6.9. This represents a significant security flaw in embedded systems infrastructure where the SSH daemon becomes unresponsive due to malformed packet inputs. The vulnerability specifically targets the Secure Shell protocol implementation that enables remote authenticated users to manipulate the system's behavior through carefully constructed network packets. The affected environment operates within industrial control systems and embedded devices where reliable network communication is critical for operational continuity.
The technical flaw manifests through improper input validation within the SSH daemon's packet processing mechanism. When authenticated users send specially crafted packets to the IPSSH service, the system fails to properly handle these malformed inputs, resulting in daemon termination or complete service unavailability. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input ranges, and CWE-248, which covers exposure of an exception to an unauthorized user. The vulnerability exists because the SSH implementation lacks robust error handling for malformed packet structures, leading to a state where the daemon cannot recover from the malformed input conditions.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise industrial control systems and embedded network infrastructure. The denial of service condition affects systems where remote access is essential for maintenance and monitoring operations, particularly in environments such as manufacturing facilities, power grid control systems, and telecommunications infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from external networks without requiring physical access to the target systems, making it particularly dangerous in industrial environments where network segmentation may be limited. This issue directly impacts the availability component of the CIA triad and can result in significant operational downtime with potential safety implications in critical infrastructure deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0712 should include immediate deployment of patches provided by Wind River to address the input validation issues within the IPSSH implementation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of vulnerable systems to unauthorized authenticated users. Monitoring network traffic for suspicious packet patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts before they succeed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in embedded systems, as outlined in ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing redundant access methods and emergency procedures to maintain operational continuity when such vulnerabilities are present in critical embedded environments.