CVE-2016-6206 in AR3200
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei AR3200 routers with software before V200R007C00SPC600 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2022
The Huawei AR3200 series routers represent a significant class of enterprise networking equipment deployed across various organizations for routing and security functions. These devices operate as critical infrastructure components within corporate networks and service provider environments, handling substantial volumes of traffic while providing essential security features including firewall capabilities and intrusion prevention. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6206 specifically affects firmware versions prior to V200R007C00SPC600, creating a persistent security risk for organizations relying on these devices for network operations. The affected systems process incoming network packets through various protocol handlers and network management functions, making them susceptible to exploitation through carefully crafted malicious inputs.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow vulnerability within the router's packet processing mechanisms, particularly affecting how the device handles malformed or specially constructed network packets. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the router's network protocol stack implementation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specifically crafted packets to the affected router, which then processes these inputs without proper bounds checking. The buffer overflow occurs when the device attempts to store data exceeding the allocated memory buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations and corrupting critical system structures. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite memory regions and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain complete control over the affected router. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables attackers to cause immediate denial of service by crashing the router's network services or to establish persistent backdoors through code execution. The implications are particularly severe for organizations using these routers as core network infrastructure components, as compromise of such devices can lead to complete network disruption, data interception, and lateral movement opportunities within the affected network environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to redirect traffic, disable security features, or establish persistent access points for further exploitation of the network infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation efforts by upgrading their Huawei AR3200 routers to firmware version V200R007C00SPC600 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation strategies to limit the attack surface and reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Monitoring network traffic for anomalous packet patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts before they succeed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust patch management processes, as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards for information security management. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict unnecessary traffic to router management interfaces, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for continuous security assessments and proactive vulnerability management within enterprise network infrastructure to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in networking equipment.