CVE-2020-16124 in ros_comm Communications Package
Summary
by MITRE • 10/13/2020
Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability in the XML RPC library of OpenRobotics ros_comm communications packages allows unauthenticated network traffic to cause unexpected behavior. This issue affects: OpenRobotics ros_comm communications packages Noetic and prior versions. Fixed in https://github.com/ros/ros_comm/pull/2065.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2020
The CVE-2020-16124 vulnerability represents a critical integer overflow condition within the XML RPC library component of OpenRobotics ros_comm communications packages, affecting versions up to and including Noetic. This flaw resides in the handling of integer values during XML remote procedure call operations, creating a scenario where arithmetic operations can exceed maximum representable values and wrap around to negative or unexpected positive values. The vulnerability specifically impacts the communication infrastructure that enables robot systems to exchange data and control signals across network boundaries, potentially compromising the integrity of robotic control systems that rely on ROS (Robot Operating System) for coordination and data flow management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the XML RPC processing logic where integer variables representing buffer sizes, message lengths, or other numeric parameters are not properly validated against overflow conditions. When malicious or malformed network traffic is processed by the affected ros_comm components, the integer wraparound can lead to buffer overflows, memory corruption, or unexpected program behavior that may result in denial of service conditions or arbitrary code execution. This issue demonstrates a classic software security flaw that aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a significant concern for systems where network-based communication is critical to operational safety and functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the safety and reliability of robotic systems that depend on ROS communications. Attackers could exploit this condition to cause unexpected behavior in robotic platforms, potentially leading to system crashes, data corruption, or in severe cases, loss of control over robotic operations. The unauthenticated nature of the attack vector means that any network-accessible system running vulnerable ros_comm packages could be compromised without requiring credentials or prior access. This vulnerability particularly affects industrial robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other safety-critical applications where the reliability of communication protocols is paramount and where such an overflow could have cascading effects on system stability and operational safety.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate deployment of the patched version from https://github.com/ros/ros_comm/pull/2065 which addresses the integer overflow condition through proper input validation and boundary checking. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their ROS-based systems to identify all instances of affected ros_comm packages and ensure complete remediation across their robotic infrastructure. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of robotic systems to untrusted networks, while continuous monitoring of communication traffic can help detect anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix demonstrates a proper approach to addressing CWE-190 vulnerabilities through defensive programming practices that validate integer operations and prevent wraparound conditions, aligning with best practices recommended in the software security community for preventing similar issues in network communication libraries.