CVE-2016-8798 in USG5500
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei USG5500 with software V300R001C00 and V300R001C00 allows attackers to bypass the anti-DDoS module of the USGs to cause a denial of service condition on the backend server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8798 affects Huawei USG5500 security appliances running software versions V300R001C00 and potentially other related versions. This issue represents a critical flaw in the device's anti-DDoS protection mechanisms that can be exploited by malicious actors to undermine the security posture of network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the anti-DDoS module functionality, which is designed to protect backend servers from distributed denial-of-service attacks while simultaneously creating a pathway for attackers to circumvent these protective measures.
The technical flaw manifests through improper validation or handling of network traffic within the anti-DDoS module's processing pipeline. Attackers can leverage this weakness to craft specific malicious traffic patterns that bypass the normal filtering and mitigation processes that the USG5500 should enforce. This allows the device to fail in its primary security function of protecting backend systems from DDoS attacks, effectively enabling attackers to directly target and overwhelm backend servers with malicious traffic. The vulnerability essentially creates a bypass mechanism that undermines the fundamental purpose of the anti-DDoS protection system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Organizations relying on Huawei USG5500 appliances for network security face significant risk of service disruption and potential data compromise when backend servers become vulnerable to direct DDoS attacks. The denial of service condition can result in complete unavailability of critical network services, financial losses due to service interruptions, and potential exposure of sensitive data. Network administrators may experience false security confidence due to the presence of anti-DDoS functionality that is effectively rendered ineffective, leading to delayed detection of actual attacks and increased incident response times.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the broader MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1498 technique for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to compromise service availability. The vulnerability also aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in network security systems, and CWE-312, concerning exposure of sensitive information through improper handling of network traffic. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Huawei, network segmentation to limit attack surface, and enhanced monitoring of traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing redundant DDoS protection measures outside the affected device and establishing incident response procedures for handling potential service disruptions are recommended defensive strategies to minimize the operational impact of this vulnerability.