CVE-2017-17135 in DP300
Summary
by MITRE
PEM module of Huawei DP300 V500R002C00; IPS Module V500R001C00; V500R001C30; NGFW Module V500R001C00; V500R002C00; NIP6300 V500R001C00; V500R001C30; NIP6600 V500R001C00; V500R001C30; RP200 V500R002C00; V600R006C00; S12700 V200R007C00; V200R007C01; V200R008C00; V200R009C00; V200R010C00; S1700 V200R006C10; V200R009C00; V200R010C00; S2700 V200R006C10; V200R007C00; V200R008C00; V200R009C00; V200R010C00; S5700 V200R006C00; V200R007C00; V200R008C00; V200R009C00; V200R010C00; S6700 V200R008C00; V200R009C00; V200R010C00; S7700 V200R007C00; V200R008C00; V200R009C00; V200R010C00; S9700 V200R007C00; V200R007C01; V200R008C00; V200R009C00; V200R010C00; Secospace USG6300 V500R001C00; V500R001C30; Secospace USG6500 V500R001C00; V500R001C30; Secospace USG6600 V500R001C00; V500R001C30S; TE30 V100R001C02; V100R001C10; V500R002C00; V600R006C00; TE40 V500R002C00; V600R006C00; TE50 V500R002C00; V600R006C00; TE60 V100R001C01; V100R001C10; V500R002C00; V600R006C00; TP3106 V100R002C00; TP3206 V100R002C00; V100R002C10; USG9500 V500R001C00; V500R001C30; ViewPoint 9030 V100R011C02; V100R011C03 has a null pointer reference vulnerability due to insufficient verification. An authenticated local attacker calls PEM decoder with special parameter which could cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17135 affects multiple Huawei network security devices and modules including DP300, NGFW, NIP6300, NIP6600, RP200, S12700, S1700, S2700, S5700, S6700, S7700, S9700, Secospace USG series, TE and TP series terminals, and ViewPoint systems. This issue resides within the PEM module of these devices, specifically impacting the PEM decoder functionality. The vulnerability manifests as a null pointer reference due to inadequate parameter validation during the decoding process. According to CWE-476, this represents a null pointer dereference vulnerability where the application fails to properly verify input parameters before attempting to access memory locations. The affected systems operate under Huawei's proprietary software frameworks and network security protocols, making this a critical concern for enterprise network infrastructure.
The technical flaw occurs when an authenticated local attacker exploits insufficient input validation within the PEM decoder component. This vulnerability allows malicious users with legitimate access credentials to manipulate the PEM decoder by providing specially crafted parameters. The system fails to validate these inputs properly, resulting in a null pointer dereference that ultimately leads to a denial of service condition. The attack vector requires local authentication, meaning an attacker must first establish legitimate access to the device before exploiting this vulnerability. This characteristic places the risk within the realm of insider threats or compromised accounts, though it still represents a significant security weakness given the potential for service disruption. The vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials to gain access to systems and subsequently leverage local privileges for further compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17135 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the availability and integrity of network security infrastructure. When exploited, the null pointer reference causes the affected device to crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying network services to legitimate users and potentially creating security gaps in the network perimeter. This denial of service can have cascading effects throughout enterprise networks, particularly in environments where these Huawei devices serve as critical security gateways. The vulnerability affects a wide range of Huawei networking equipment, suggesting a systemic issue within the software architecture that could impact multiple network segments simultaneously. Organizations relying on these devices for security operations may experience significant downtime and increased risk exposure during exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17135 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying official Huawei security patches and firmware updates that address the null pointer reference issue in the PEM module. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring to detect unauthorized local access attempts that could lead to exploitation. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing network segmentation to limit the attack surface, and establishing robust logging mechanisms to detect anomalous parameter usage patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious activity related to PEM decoder operations and network traffic patterns associated with this vulnerability. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues within the broader network infrastructure and ensure comprehensive protection against both current and emerging threats.