CVE-2018-1157 in MikroTik
Summary
by MITRE
Mikrotik RouterOS before 6.42.7 and 6.40.9 is vulnerable to a memory exhaustion vulnerability. An authenticated remote attacker can crash the HTTP server and in some circumstances reboot the system via a crafted HTTP POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1157 affects Mikrotik RouterOS versions prior to 6.42.7 and 6.40.9, representing a critical memory exhaustion flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to disrupt system operations. This vulnerability resides within the HTTP server implementation of the RouterOS operating system, specifically manifesting when processing crafted HTTP POST requests that trigger memory allocation failures leading to system instability and potential service disruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP POST request parameters that cause the system to allocate excessive memory resources without proper bounds checking or validation. When an authenticated attacker submits a maliciously crafted request, the HTTP server component fails to properly handle memory allocation requests, leading to memory exhaustion conditions that ultimately cause the HTTP server to crash. In certain configurations, this memory exhaustion can escalate to complete system reboot operations, effectively creating a denial of service condition that impacts network connectivity and router functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network infrastructure as it allows attackers who have gained authentication credentials to remotely disrupt services without requiring physical access or complex exploitation techniques. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise network availability, especially in environments where router stability is critical for maintaining connectivity. The vulnerability affects various Mikrotik hardware models running the affected RouterOS versions, making it particularly concerning for organizations relying on these networking devices for core infrastructure services.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which addresses unchecked resource consumption, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with resource exhaustion attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of denial of service. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability requires only authenticated access to cause significant operational disruption. Recommended mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to router management interfaces, enforcing strict authentication controls, and monitoring for unusual HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of network infrastructure components and maintaining up-to-date firmware across all devices will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising network operations.