CVE-2020-1865 in CloudEngine
Summary
by MITRE • 01/14/2021
There is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in Huawei CloudEngine products. The software reads data past the end of the intended buffer when parsing certain PIM message, an adjacent attacker could send crafted PIM messages to the device, successful exploit could cause out of bounds read when the system does the certain operation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-1865 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within Huawei CloudEngine network equipment products. This issue stems from insufficient input validation during the processing of Protocol Independent Multicast PIM messages, which are essential components of multicast routing protocols used in enterprise and service provider networks. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the system attempts to parse certain PIM messages, creating a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the legitimate buffer boundaries. Such out-of-bounds read conditions typically arise from improper bounds checking mechanisms that fail to validate the length or content of received network packets before processing them. The affected Huawei CloudEngine devices operate as layer 3 switches and routers, making them critical infrastructure components in network core and distribution layers where multicast traffic flows are prevalent.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an adjacent attacker successfully crafts and transmits malicious PIM messages to the vulnerable device. The attacker does not require network access from remote locations, as the vulnerability can be triggered through direct network access or by leveraging compromised network segments. When the device receives these crafted PIM messages, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the message structure, leading to memory access beyond allocated buffer limits. This out-of-bounds read condition can result in various operational consequences including system instability, unexpected behavior, or potentially more severe outcomes depending on the specific memory locations accessed. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to memory corruption issues. Network protocol parsing routines are particularly susceptible to such vulnerabilities when they fail to properly validate message lengths and structures before processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-1865 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it could potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the specific memory regions accessed during the out-of-bounds read operation. Network administrators may observe unexpected device behavior, including intermittent service interruptions, routing instability, or performance degradation as the system attempts to process malformed PIM messages. In environments where multicast services are heavily utilized, such as video streaming platforms, financial trading systems, or enterprise collaboration networks, this vulnerability could cause significant operational disruptions. The vulnerability's proximity to the network infrastructure layer makes it particularly concerning as it affects core routing functionality that maintains network connectivity and data flow. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through network protocol manipulation, though the specific exploit vector requires careful crafting of PIM messages to trigger the memory access violation. The potential for denial of service attacks is high, as successful exploitation could cause the device to crash or become unresponsive, effectively removing critical network infrastructure from service.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-1865 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Huawei, as the vendor has released security updates addressing the specific buffer overflow condition in PIM message parsing. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit direct access to affected devices, reducing the attack surface for adjacent attackers. Monitoring network traffic for unusual PIM message patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts, though this requires careful configuration to avoid false positives. The implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules can help filter malformed PIM messages before they reach vulnerable devices. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potential protocol parsing vulnerabilities within the network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically tuned to detect PIM message anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in network protocol implementations and highlights the necessity of thorough security testing for all network protocol handling code, particularly in critical infrastructure devices where reliability and security are paramount for maintaining network operations and service availability.