CVE-2017-17148 in DP300
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei DP300 V500R002C00 have a DoS vulnerability due to the lack of validation when the malloc is called. An authenticated local attacker can craft specific XML files to the affected products and parse this file, which result in DoS attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17148 affects Huawei DP300 V500R002C00 devices and represents a critical denial of service flaw stemming from inadequate input validation during memory allocation operations. This vulnerability resides in the XML parsing functionality of the affected system, where the malloc function is invoked without proper validation of input parameters. The flaw manifests when authenticated local attackers craft specially crafted XML files that, upon parsing by the vulnerable system, trigger memory allocation failures leading to system instability and potential complete service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer, and more specifically relates to CWE-770, which addresses allocation of resources without limits or with inadequate limits. The root cause lies in the absence of proper bounds checking and input sanitization when processing XML documents, particularly during dynamic memory allocation operations. When the system attempts to parse malicious XML content, the lack of validation allows malformed data structures to be processed, causing the malloc function to either fail or allocate insufficient memory, ultimately resulting in system crashes or complete system hangs.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on Huawei DP300 devices for critical network infrastructure functions. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first establish legitimate credentials, but this access requirement does not mitigate the potential impact, as the DoS condition can render the entire device inoperable. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to process legitimate XML-based configurations, updates, or management commands, creating a scenario where authorized users cannot perform normal operational functions while the system remains in a non-responsive state. The attack vector through XML parsing indicates that this vulnerability could be exploited through various legitimate administrative functions that utilize XML formats for configuration management or data exchange protocols.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can potentially compromise the availability of network services that depend on the affected device. In enterprise environments where these devices serve as core network components, such as in telecommunications or data center infrastructure, a successful exploitation could result in widespread service degradation or complete network outages. The local authentication requirement does not prevent the vulnerability from being exploited in scenarios where attackers gain physical access to the device or compromise legitimate administrative accounts through credential theft or other means. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient or where privileged accounts are at risk of compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17148 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that address the memory allocation validation issues in the XML parsing component. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit local administrative access to these devices, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust input validation mechanisms at network boundaries and establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual parsing activities that might indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in security-critical systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning processes to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure components and ensure that XML processing functions throughout their environment maintain proper validation controls.