CVE-2017-17289 in DP300
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei DP300 V500R002C00, RP200 V500R002C00, V600R006C00, TE30 V100R001C10, V500R002C00, V600R006C00, TE40 V500R002C00, V600R006C00, TE50 V500R002C00, V600R006C00, TE60 V100R001C10, V500R002C00, V600R006C00 have a memory leak vulnerability. The software does not release allocated memory properly when handling XML data. An authenticated, local attacker could upload crafted XML file repeatedly to cause memory leak and service abnormal.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17289 affects multiple Huawei video conferencing devices including DP300, RP200, TE30, TE40, TE50, and TE60 models across various firmware versions. This memory leak vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the software's resource management capabilities, specifically when processing XML data inputs. The flaw manifests when the system fails to properly release allocated memory segments during XML data handling operations, creating a persistent resource depletion issue that can be exploited by authenticated local attackers. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-401: Improper Release of Memory and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables attackers to consume system resources and potentially cause service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management within the XML parser component of the affected Huawei devices. When legitimate XML data is processed, the system allocates memory blocks to store parsed information and maintain data structures. However, due to flawed memory deallocation logic, these allocated memory segments remain unreleased even after the parsing operations complete. This memory retention occurs repeatedly with each XML file upload, as the system does not properly clean up memory resources between operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that someone with legitimate credentials can exploit this weakness without requiring external network access or complex attack vectors.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this memory leak vulnerability can be severe for organizations relying on Huawei video conferencing infrastructure. The gradual accumulation of unreleased memory leads to system performance degradation, increased latency, and eventually complete service failure. Attackers can repeatedly upload crafted XML files to accelerate memory consumption, potentially causing the device to crash or become unresponsive. This type of resource exhaustion attack directly impacts the availability aspect of the system's security triad, making it difficult for authorized users to conduct legitimate video conferencing sessions. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where these devices are critical for business communications and collaboration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17289 should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by Huawei to address the memory management flaws in the XML processing components. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor XML file uploads to prevent unauthorized exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and privilege separation can help limit the potential impact if an attacker gains access to the system. Regular memory monitoring and performance baseline establishment will aid in early detection of memory leak activities. Additionally, implementing automated alerting systems for unusual memory consumption patterns can provide early warning signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper resource management in embedded systems and highlights the need for comprehensive memory leak testing during software development lifecycle phases. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious XML data patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.