CVE-2017-15344 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 cause system reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15344 affects Huawei AR3200 routers running specific software versions including V200R006C10 through V200R008C30. This integer overflow flaw resides within the SCTP message processing functionality of the router's software implementation, representing a critical security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers without authentication. The vulnerability specifically targets the validation mechanisms for certain fields within SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) messages, which are used for reliable data transfer in network communications. The improper validation allows attackers to craft malicious SCTP packets that, when processed by the vulnerable router, trigger an integer overflow condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior including system crashes and potential privilege escalation. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication credentials and can be executed remotely, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the affected device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the router processes SCTP messages containing malformed field values that exceed the maximum allowable integer limits for the affected data structures. When the software attempts to handle these oversized values, the integer overflow causes the system to behave unpredictably, ultimately resulting in a system reboot. The SCTP protocol is commonly used in telecommunications networks for signaling and control messages, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for network infrastructure devices. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the repeated exploitation could lead to sustained denial of service conditions, potentially affecting network availability for legitimate users. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through system resource exhaustion or manipulation, and represents a classic example of how protocol implementation flaws can lead to critical system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability poses significant risks to network infrastructure security, particularly in enterprise and carrier environments where Huawei AR3200 devices serve as critical routing equipment. Organizations relying on these devices face potential service interruptions that could affect business continuity and customer satisfaction. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these devices from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or network credentials, making it particularly attractive for malicious actors seeking to disrupt network services. Network administrators should consider the broader implications for their security posture, as this vulnerability could potentially serve as a foothold for more sophisticated attacks or be combined with other exploits to achieve greater impact. The integer overflow condition specifically affects the router's ability to properly process network control messages, which could potentially allow attackers to manipulate routing decisions or cause cascading failures in interconnected network systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15344 should prioritize immediate software updates from Huawei to address the integer overflow vulnerability in SCTP message handling. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, particularly by restricting direct internet access to these routers. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual SCTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on malformed SCTP messages. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules that filter or rate-limit SCTP traffic where possible, though this approach may impact legitimate network operations. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution risk underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure equipment. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation attempts that could result in service disruption. Implementation of these mitigations aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-40 and follows the principle of least privilege for network device configurations to minimize potential attack surface exposure.