CVE-2018-16527 in Amazon Web Services FreeRTOS
Summary
by MITRE
Amazon Web Services (AWS) FreeRTOS through 1.3.1, FreeRTOS up to V10.0.1 (with FreeRTOS+TCP), and WITTENSTEIN WHIS Connect middleware TCP/IP component allow information disclosure during parsing of ICMP packets in prvProcessICMPPacket.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2020
This vulnerability exists in AWS FreeRTOS versions through 1.3.1 and FreeRTOS versions up to V10.0.1 when used with FreeRTOS+TCP, as well as in WITTENSTEIN WHIS Connect middleware TCP/IP components. The flaw occurs during the parsing of ICMP packets within the prvProcessICMPPacket function, creating a potential information disclosure risk that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of ICMP packet structures during processing, which may lead to sensitive data exposure through memory disclosure mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper validation and parsing of ICMP packet headers and payloads within the network stack processing functions. When the prvProcessICMPPacket function encounters malformed or specially crafted ICMP packets, it fails to properly validate input parameters before processing, potentially leading to information leakage from memory regions that should remain protected. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, specifically manifesting as an information disclosure weakness where attacker-controlled data can trigger unintended memory access patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across various embedded systems and IoT devices that rely on these networking components for connectivity and communication. Systems utilizing AWS FreeRTOS or WITTENSTEIN WHIS Connect middleware may experience unauthorized data exposure during normal network operations, potentially revealing sensitive information such as memory contents, system configurations, or application data. The vulnerability affects devices that process ICMP packets, which are fundamental to network diagnostics and communication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network monitoring and security are critical.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of AWS FreeRTOS and FreeRTOS+TCP components, as well as applying firmware updates to WITTENSTEIN WHIS Connect middleware where applicable. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure, while implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous ICMP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004: Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as it involves protocol parsing weaknesses that could be exploited through network-based attacks. Regular security assessments and network traffic analysis should be conducted to identify any potential exploitation attempts and maintain system integrity.