CVE-2018-16950 in DG400
Summary
by MITRE
Inteno DG400 WU7U_ELION3.11.6-170614_1328 devices allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (connectivity loss) via a series of packets with random MAC addresses, as demonstrated by macof.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2020
The CVE-2018-16950 vulnerability affects Inteno DG400 WU7U_ELION3.11.6-170614_1328 wireless routers, representing a significant denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely by attackers. This vulnerability specifically targets the router's handling of MAC address information within network packets, creating a condition where legitimate network connectivity can be disrupted through crafted packet sequences. The attack vector involves sending multiple packets with random MAC addresses to the affected device, which can cause the router to become unresponsive or lose connectivity entirely. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of resource exhaustion attacks that exploit improper input validation mechanisms within network device firmware.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of MAC address information in the router's packet processing logic. When the device receives packets with random or malformed MAC addresses, it fails to properly filter or reject these inputs, leading to a cascade of processing errors that eventually result in system instability. The demonstration using macof tool shows how an attacker can generate high volumes of packets with varying MAC addresses to overwhelm the router's MAC address table or processing capabilities. This flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization and inadequate error handling within network infrastructure devices, which aligns with CWE-20 standards for improper input validation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the router's ability to maintain stable network connections and can result in complete service disruption for all connected devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16950 extends beyond simple connectivity loss, as it can affect business continuity and network availability for organizations relying on these devices. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can render the entire wireless network inaccessible, forcing users to reconnect to the network or potentially requiring manual device rebooting to restore service. This type of attack is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where wireless connectivity is critical for operations, as it can cause widespread disruption and may require immediate incident response procedures. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not need physical access to the device, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services without detection. From an attacker tactics perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498 which involves network denial of service attacks, and T1566 which covers social engineering through network attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing network-level protections and firmware updates where available. Organizations should consider deploying network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to this type of attack, while also monitoring for unusual packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The most effective long-term solution involves updating the router firmware to a version that properly validates MAC address information and implements rate limiting for packet processing. Network administrators should also implement intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious MAC address patterns, as well as establish baseline network behavior for normal operation to quickly detect when the device has been compromised. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access control measures that can detect and block malformed packets before they reach the vulnerable device, providing an additional layer of defense against this specific attack vector.