CVE-2018-16600 in Amazon Web Services FreeRTOS
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in 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. Out of bounds memory access during parsing of ARP packets in eARPProcessPacket can be used for information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16600 represents a critical memory safety issue affecting multiple embedded operating systems and middleware components including AWS FreeRTOS versions through 1.3.1, FreeRTOS versions up to V10.0.1 with FreeRTOS+TCP, and WITTENSTEIN WHIS Connect middleware. This flaw manifests during the processing of Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packets within the eARPProcessPacket function, where improper bounds checking allows for out-of-bounds memory access conditions. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing insufficient bounds checking in memory operations. The affected systems typically operate in resource-constrained environments where memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability. This issue is particularly concerning for IoT devices and embedded systems that rely on these components for network communication and device management. The ARP protocol serves as a fundamental building block for network communication, translating IP addresses to physical MAC addresses within local networks, making any vulnerability in ARP packet processing potentially impactful for network operations and security posture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious ARP packets that trigger the out-of-bounds memory access condition during packet parsing. The eARPProcessPacket function fails to properly validate the length or bounds of incoming ARP packet data before attempting to access memory regions. This allows an attacker to potentially read from memory locations outside the intended buffer boundaries, leading to information disclosure. The memory access violation can expose sensitive data such as system memory contents, network credentials, or internal application state that may be stored in adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in environments where these components are deployed in critical infrastructure or industrial control systems where memory disclosure could reveal confidential operational data or system configurations. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control communication, as attackers could potentially use the information disclosure to gain insights into system behavior and plan further attacks. The flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that can be leveraged for reconnaissance purposes and may serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the network environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16600 extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise the integrity and availability of affected systems. In embedded environments where FreeRTOS and related middleware components are deployed, such as industrial IoT devices, medical equipment, automotive systems, and smart grid infrastructure, this vulnerability could enable attackers to extract sensitive information that might reveal system architecture, configuration details, or operational parameters. The exposure of memory contents could lead to the disclosure of cryptographic keys, authentication tokens, or other security-sensitive data that could be used to escalate privileges or bypass security controls. For systems operating in regulated environments such as healthcare or critical infrastructure, this vulnerability could result in compliance violations and regulatory penalties. The vulnerability affects both the AWS FreeRTOS implementation and the WITTENSTEIN WHIS Connect middleware, indicating a broader impact across different vendor implementations of similar networking protocols. Organizations using these components may face challenges in patching due to the embedded nature of these systems and the potential for disruption to critical operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in embedded systems where traditional security measures may be limited. The information disclosure aspect of this vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1005 for data from local system, as attackers can potentially extract sensitive information directly from memory.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16600 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems through vendor-provided updates and security patches. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect and analyze anomalous ARP packet traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability can be addressed through code-level fixes that implement proper bounds checking in the ARP packet processing functions, ensuring that all memory accesses are validated against buffer boundaries. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of exploitation, particularly in critical infrastructure environments. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in embedded systems and middleware components. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual memory access patterns or information disclosure attempts. The vulnerability highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems, including formal verification techniques and static analysis tools specifically designed for memory safety in resource-constrained environments. Organizations should also review their supply chain security practices to ensure that third-party middleware components are regularly updated and assessed for security vulnerabilities. Given the nature of embedded systems and their often limited update capabilities, organizations should develop contingency plans and alternative security measures to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that patches do not introduce regressions in system functionality while maintaining the security improvements.