CVE-2019-12256 in VxWorks
Summary
by MITRE
Wind River VxWorks 6.9 and vx7 has a Buffer Overflow in the IPv4 component. There is an IPNET security vulnerability: Stack overflow in the parsing of IPv4 packets? IP optionss.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12256 affects Wind River VxWorks operating systems version 6.9 and vx7, specifically within the IPv4 networking component. This security flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of IPv4 packets containing malformed options. The vulnerability resides in the IPNET security module responsible for handling network packet parsing and validation, representing a critical weakness in the embedded operating system's network stack implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the IPv4 packet processing logic. When the system receives an IPv4 packet with specially crafted options that exceed the allocated buffer space, the parsing routine fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The flaw is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow according to CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits writes beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it provides potential attackers with a pathway for remote code execution within the targeted embedded systems. VxWorks is widely deployed in industrial control systems, automotive applications, and network infrastructure devices where such vulnerabilities could be leveraged to compromise critical operations. The vulnerability's presence in both VxWorks 6.9 and vx7 versions indicates a systemic issue within the network processing components that affects a broad range of deployed systems. Attackers could exploit this weakness by sending maliciously crafted IPv4 packets to the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive operational data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-12256 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Wind River, as the vendor has released security updates addressing the buffer overflow in the IPv4 packet parsing logic. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted network traffic, following ATT&CK technique T1071.3 for application layer protocol usage. Additional defensive measures include deploying network intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious IPv4 packet patterns and implementing strict packet filtering rules that validate IP options before processing. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in embedded systems, particularly those operating in industrial environments where network security is paramount. Security teams should also consider implementing continuous monitoring and vulnerability assessment programs to identify similar weaknesses in other network components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.