CVE-2017-14199 in Zephyr Project
Summary
by MITRE
A buffer overflow has been found in the Zephyr Project's getaddrinfo() implementation in 1.9.0 and 1.10.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14199 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Zephyr Project's implementation of the getaddrinfo() function, affecting versions 1.9.0 and 1.10.0 of the operating system. This flaw exists in the network address resolution functionality that is fundamental to socket programming and network communication within embedded systems. The Zephyr Project serves as a real-time operating system designed for resource-constrained devices, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for Internet of Things deployments and embedded networking applications.
The technical root cause of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the getaddrinfo() implementation. When processing domain name resolution requests, the function fails to properly validate the length of input strings or the size of allocated buffers, allowing maliciously crafted DNS responses or network data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This condition creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, system crashes, or information disclosure, as the overflow can overwrite critical program variables, return addresses, or stack data structures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14199 extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential complete system compromise in vulnerable embedded environments. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through network-based attacks targeting devices running affected Zephyr versions, particularly those implementing DNS resolution services or network communication protocols. The implications are severe for IoT devices, medical devices, industrial control systems, and other embedded platforms where Zephyr is deployed. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage system vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The attack surface includes any network service or application that relies on the getaddrinfo() function for address resolution, potentially affecting device firmware, network management systems, and security monitoring tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Zephyr versions to 1.11.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for buffer overflow protection. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted networks. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious DNS resolution patterns, implementing intrusion detection systems, and conducting thorough vulnerability assessments of embedded device fleets. The fix typically involves proper bounds checking of input data, implementation of safe string handling functions, and validation of buffer sizes before memory allocation. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention mechanisms to reduce exploitability. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes are essential for maintaining protection against similar issues in embedded systems environments.