CVE-2017-10874 in PWR-Q200
Summary
by MITRE
PWR-Q200 does not use random values for source ports of DNS query packets, which allows remote attackers to conduct DNS cache poisoning attacks.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10874 affects the PWR-Q200 device, which is a network appliance designed for power line communication and wireless networking applications. This device implements DNS resolution functionality as part of its network operations, making it susceptible to cache poisoning attacks that can compromise the integrity of DNS responses. The flaw specifically resides in the device's DNS client implementation where it fails to utilize cryptographically secure randomization for source port selection when initiating DNS queries.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the predictable nature of source port allocation within the DNS query process. When a device sends DNS queries, it typically selects a random source port to avoid conflicts and maintain connection integrity. However, the PWR-Q200 device uses a deterministic or insufficiently random source port selection mechanism, which creates predictable patterns that attackers can exploit. This weakness directly relates to CWE-330, which describes insufficient randomness in security-critical contexts, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for DNS tunneling and cache poisoning operations.
Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by monitoring network traffic to identify the predictable source port patterns used by the PWR-Q200 device. Once the pattern is established, attackers can inject malicious DNS responses into the network with the correct source port, causing the device to cache incorrect DNS records. This cache poisoning can redirect traffic to malicious servers, enable man-in-the-middle attacks, or facilitate further exploitation of the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple redirection as it can compromise the device's ability to resolve legitimate domain names, potentially causing service disruption and creating opportunities for additional attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations relying on PWR-Q200 devices, particularly in environments where DNS integrity is critical for network security. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, malware distribution, and network reconnaissance. The vulnerability affects the device's trust model, as it undermines the expected security properties of DNS resolution. Organizations may experience service degradation or complete DNS failure if attackers successfully poison the cache, leading to potential business disruption and security breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves updating the device firmware to a version that implements proper randomization for source port selection in DNS queries. Network administrators should also consider implementing DNS security extensions such as DNSSEC to provide additional protection against cache poisoning attacks. Additional mitigations include deploying network monitoring tools to detect anomalous DNS traffic patterns, implementing rate limiting on DNS queries, and configuring firewalls to restrict DNS traffic to trusted sources. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of network appliances to identify similar vulnerabilities in other devices within their infrastructure.