CVE-2017-1000210 in picoTCP
Summary
by MITRE
picoTCP (versions 1.7.0 - 1.5.0) is vulnerable to stack buffer overflow resulting in code execution or denial of service attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000210 affects picoTCP versions 1.5.0 through 1.7.0 and represents a critical stack buffer overflow condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service. This issue manifests within the network stack implementation of the picoTCP embedded TCP/IP stack library, which is commonly used in IoT devices, embedded systems, and resource-constrained environments where lightweight networking capabilities are essential. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking in memory allocation routines that handle network packet processing, particularly when dealing with malformed or specially crafted network traffic. The stack buffer overflow occurs when the software attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of a stack-based buffer, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and critical program state information.
The technical flaw resides in the packet processing functions that handle incoming network data, where the implementation fails to properly validate the length of received data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security. When exploited, the buffer overflow allows an attacker to overwrite the stack frame of the executing function, potentially enabling code execution by redirecting program control flow to malicious code injected into the buffer or by overwriting return addresses to jump to attacker-controlled memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in embedded environments where picoTCP is often used, as these systems typically lack advanced memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, ASLR, or DEP that would otherwise mitigate such exploits.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-1000210 extends beyond simple denial of service to include complete system compromise in vulnerable environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors. In IoT deployments where picoTCP is commonly integrated, this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain control of connected devices, creating botnet potential or enabling lateral movement within network segments. The vulnerability affects systems where the TCP/IP stack is used for network communication, particularly those running on embedded processors with limited memory resources where the stack-based buffer overflow can be reliably triggered through network traffic manipulation. This makes it particularly relevant in industrial control systems, smart meters, medical devices, and other embedded applications where network connectivity is required but security measures are often minimal.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected picoTCP versions to 1.7.1 or later, where the buffer overflow conditions have been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially compromised systems, while monitoring network traffic for signs of exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous network traffic patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, implementing network access controls to restrict communication between vulnerable systems, and conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all embedded systems using picoTCP to identify potential exposure points. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems development, particularly around buffer management and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, which are commonly used in post-exploitation phases when such vulnerabilities are successfully exploited in the field.