CVE-2020-6866 in ZXCTN 6500
Summary
by MITRE
A ZTE product is impacted by a resource management error vulnerability. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service by issuing a specific command. This affects: ZXCTN 6500 version V2.10.00R3B87.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-6866 represents a critical resource management error within ZTE's ZXCTN 6500 equipment running firmware version V2.10.00R3B87. This issue stems from inadequate handling of specific commands that can trigger unexpected behavior in the device's resource allocation mechanisms. The flaw exists at the system level where command processing fails to properly validate or manage resource consumption patterns, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt normal operational functions.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability manifests as a failure in the device's command interpreter to properly manage memory allocation and processing resources when specific commands are executed. This resource management error allows an attacker to submit crafted commands that consume excessive system resources or trigger resource exhaustion conditions. The flaw operates at the application layer within the device's control plane, where legitimate administrative commands are processed and executed. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-400: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption, which specifically addresses situations where software fails to properly manage resource usage limits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure that relies on the affected equipment. When exploited, the denial of service condition can render the ZXCTN 6500 device non-responsive, preventing legitimate network management operations and potentially causing cascading failures in connected network segments. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate device but also the broader network ecosystem that depends on its stable operation. Network administrators may experience complete loss of visibility and control over the affected equipment, which can result in extended service outages and increased operational complexity during recovery efforts.
Security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, which specifically addresses methods that target device or system resources to prevent normal operations. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure. Organizations using this equipment should consider the vulnerability as a potential entry point for more sophisticated attacks, as initial denial of service conditions can be used to mask other malicious activities or create opportunities for privilege escalation. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the device's resource management architecture that could be exploited by both casual attackers seeking to disrupt services and more sophisticated threat actors targeting network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by ZTE to address the specific resource management error. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, access controls should be strengthened to limit command execution privileges, and network segmentation should be considered to isolate affected equipment from critical network segments. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar resource management flaws in other network infrastructure components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust resource management practices in network equipment and underscores the need for comprehensive security testing during device development and deployment phases.