CVE-2018-16601 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. A crafted IP header triggers a full memory space copy in prvProcessIPPacket, leading to denial of service and possibly remote code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16601 represents a critical memory corruption flaw affecting multiple embedded operating systems and middleware components including Amazon Web Services FreeRTOS versions through 1.3.1, FreeRTOS versions up to V10.0.1 with FreeRTOS+TCP, and WITTENSTEIN WHIS Connect middleware TCP/IP implementations. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the network packet processing logic, specifically in the prvProcessIPPacket function that handles incoming IP packets. The flaw manifests when a maliciously crafted IP header is received by the system, triggering an improper memory operation that can lead to complete memory space copying.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the network stack processing routines where the system fails to properly validate the length and structure of incoming IP headers before attempting memory operations. When an attacker constructs an IP packet with specific header values that bypass normal validation checks, the prvProcessIPPacket function executes a memory copy operation that extends beyond intended boundaries. This improper memory handling creates conditions where the system's memory space can be overwritten or corrupted, potentially leading to system instability and complete denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol layer and represents a classic buffer overflow scenario that has been classified under CWE-121 as "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" and CWE-787 as "Out-of-bounds Write" in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16601 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable systems. Systems utilizing affected FreeRTOS implementations or WITTENSTEIN middleware components become susceptible to attacks that can disrupt network connectivity, cause system crashes, or provide attackers with opportunities to execute arbitrary code on the affected devices. This vulnerability particularly affects embedded systems and IoT devices that rely on these networking components, creating widespread exposure across industrial control systems, medical devices, and consumer electronics. The attack surface is significant given the widespread adoption of FreeRTOS in embedded applications and the critical nature of network connectivity in these systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16601 should focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking within the IP packet processing routines. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of FreeRTOS and FreeRTOS+TCP components, with Amazon releasing updates for FreeRTOS versions 1.4.0 and later that address the memory handling flaw. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while also considering intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed IP traffic patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1499 for Endpoint Denial of Service, indicating that defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns and implementing robust input validation across all network processing components. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their embedded systems and IoT deployments to identify all potentially affected devices and ensure timely patch deployment across their infrastructure.