CVE-2020-10283 in Micro Air Vehicle Link
Summary
by MITRE
The Micro Air Vehicle Link (MAVLink) protocol presents authentication mechanisms on its version 2.0 however according to its documentation, in order to maintain backwards compatibility, GCS and autopilot negotiate the version via the AUTOPILOT_VERSION message. Since this negotiation depends on the answer, an attacker may craft packages in a way that hints the autopilot to adopt version 1.0 of MAVLink for the communication. Given the lack of authentication capabilities in such version of MAVLink (refer to CVE-2020-10282), attackers may use this method to bypass authentication capabilities and interact with the autopilot directly.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2020
The CVE-2020-10283 vulnerability resides within the Micro Air Vehicle Link protocol version 2.0 authentication mechanisms, representing a sophisticated attack vector that exploits protocol version negotiation flaws. This vulnerability specifically targets unmanned aerial systems and autopilot devices that rely on MAVLink for communication between ground control stations and flight controllers. The protocol's design maintains backward compatibility by allowing automatic version negotiation through the AUTOPILOT_VERSION message, which creates an inherent security weakness. When a ground control station initiates communication with an autopilot, the autopilot responds with its version information, enabling the GCS to select the appropriate communication protocol version. This negotiation process becomes exploitable when an attacker can manipulate the version selection process, forcing the system to downgrade to MAVLink version 1.0 where authentication mechanisms are completely absent.
The technical flaw stems from the protocol's version negotiation mechanism that lacks proper validation and authentication of the version selection process. According to CWE-200, this represents an information exposure vulnerability where an attacker can manipulate the communication channel to downgrade security features. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the MAVLink protocol implementation in unmanned aerial systems. The attacker's payload can consist of specially crafted AUTOPILOT_VERSION messages that signal version 1.0 compatibility, effectively bypassing the authentication capabilities that should be present in version 2.0. This downgrade attack creates a scenario where the autopilot system operates under less secure conditions without proper authentication mechanisms, as documented in CVE-2020-10282, which specifically addresses the lack of authentication in MAVLink version 1.0.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-10283 is significant for unmanned aerial vehicle systems and autonomous robotics platforms that rely on MAVLink for communication. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to autopilot systems, potentially enabling them to modify flight parameters, alter mission objectives, or even take complete control of the aircraft. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and control through application layer protocols, and T1566 for phishing with social engineering elements that manipulate system behavior. This vulnerability affects critical infrastructure components including military drones, commercial UAVs, and autonomous vehicles that depend on secure communication protocols. The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and physical safety risks when aircraft are controlled by malicious actors who can bypass authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-10283 should focus on implementing robust protocol version validation and preventing unauthorized version negotiation. Organizations should deploy network monitoring systems that can detect anomalous AUTOPILOT_VERSION message patterns and implement mandatory protocol version enforcement rather than allowing automatic negotiation. According to industry best practices and NIST guidelines for secure communication protocols, systems should be configured to reject any communication attempts that attempt to downgrade to insecure protocol versions. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict communication between ground control stations and autopilot systems, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized entities can establish connections. Additionally, firmware updates should be applied to address the underlying protocol implementation issues, and security audits should be conducted to verify that autopilot systems properly enforce version compatibility requirements. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure protocol design principles where backward compatibility should not compromise fundamental security features, as outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices that emphasize the need for secure version management and authentication enforcement.