CVE-2018-12680 in CoAPthon3
Summary
by MITRE
The Serialize.deserialize() method in CoAPthon 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2 mishandles certain exceptions, leading to a denial of service in applications that use this library (e.g., the standard CoAP server, CoAP client, CoAP reverse proxy, example collect CoAP server and client) when they receive crafted CoAP messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12680 affects the CoAPthon library versions 3.1, 4.0.0, 4.0.1, and 4.0.2, representing a critical security flaw in the CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol) implementation that governs communication between Internet of Things devices. This issue manifests within the Serialize.deserialize() method which processes incoming CoAP messages and handles exception scenarios in a manner that can be exploited to cause system instability. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the deserialization process that converts binary CoAP message formats into usable application objects. The flaw represents a classic example of improper exception handling that can be leveraged to disrupt normal service operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the library's failure to properly manage exception conditions during the deserialization of CoAP messages. When the Serialize.deserialize() method encounters malformed or crafted CoAP packets, it does not gracefully handle the resulting exceptions, instead allowing these unhandled conditions to propagate and cause the application to terminate or enter an unstable state. This behavior creates a denial of service condition where legitimate CoAP services become unavailable to authorized users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because CoAP servers and clients are commonly deployed in critical IoT environments where service availability is paramount, and the impact extends beyond simple disruption to potentially compromising entire network infrastructures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple CoAP-based applications that utilize the affected library, including standard CoAP servers, CoAP clients, CoAP reverse proxies, and example collect CoAP server and client implementations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specifically crafted CoAP messages that trigger the problematic exception handling path, causing the target application to crash or become unresponsive. This creates a persistent denial of service condition that can be difficult to detect and remediate, particularly in environments where CoAP services operate continuously without human intervention. The vulnerability's scope is significant given that CoAP is designed for resource-constrained devices and networks, making these systems particularly vulnerable to service disruption attacks that can cascade through IoT ecosystems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12680 should prioritize immediate library updates to versions that contain proper exception handling mechanisms, as recommended by the maintainers of the CoAPthon project. Organizations should implement network-level protections including firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious CoAP traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-707, which addresses improper handling of exceptions in security-critical applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service attacks. Additionally, implementing robust logging and monitoring of CoAP service operations can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential attacks. Regular security assessments of IoT infrastructure should include verification of library versions and proper exception handling implementations to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising network availability and integrity.