CVE-2017-15343 in AR3200
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei AR3200 with software V200R006C10, V200R006C11, V200R007C00, V200R007C01, V200R007C02, V200R008C00, V200R008C10, V200R008C20, V200R008C30 has an integer overflow vulnerability. The software does not sufficiently validate certain field in SCTP messages, a remote unauthenticated attacker could send a crafted SCTP message to the device. Successful exploit could system reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15343 affects Huawei AR3200 routers running specific software versions including V200R006C10 through V200R008C30. This integer overflow vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that undermines the device's ability to properly validate incoming SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) messages. The issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the router's SCTP processing code, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through carefully crafted network packets.
The technical flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition within the SCTP message handling subsystem of the affected Huawei devices. When the router receives SCTP messages containing malformed or oversized fields, the system fails to properly validate these inputs before processing them. This validation gap allows an attacker to manipulate the integer values in specific SCTP message fields, causing the system to overflow and potentially leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability specifically targets the router's SCTP implementation, which is commonly used for signaling in telecommunications networks and provides reliable message delivery for applications requiring guaranteed delivery.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables a remote unauthenticated attacker to trigger a system reboot of the affected Huawei AR3200 device. This denial-of-service condition can result in significant network disruption, particularly in environments where these routers serve as critical network infrastructure components. The ability to remotely reboot the device without authentication represents a substantial risk to network availability and business continuity. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability repeatedly to maintain persistent disruption of network services, making it particularly dangerous in mission-critical environments.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior in software systems. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through service availability attacks. The vulnerability's classification as a remote unauthenticated exploit means that attackers do not require any prior credentials or network access privileges to potentially compromise affected systems. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Huawei, network segmentation to limit SCTP traffic, and monitoring for suspicious SCTP message patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple service disruption, as it demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in network infrastructure devices. Many network routers and security appliances rely on complex protocols like SCTP for various functions, and vulnerabilities in protocol handling can create significant security risks. The integer overflow condition represents a fundamental flaw in the software's defensive mechanisms, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of protocol implementations in network equipment. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems capable of identifying and blocking malicious SCTP traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Security researchers have noted that vulnerabilities of this nature often persist in network infrastructure due to the complexity of protocol implementations and the difficulty of thorough testing in production environments. The Huawei AR3200 series represents a widely deployed platform in enterprise and carrier networks, making the impact of this vulnerability particularly significant. The remote exploit capability means that adversaries could potentially target these devices from anywhere on the internet, without requiring physical access or network proximity. This characteristic transforms what might otherwise be a localized security issue into a widespread threat that could affect numerous organizations simultaneously, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management and proactive security measures.