CVE-2021-25671 in RWG1.M12
Summary
by MITRE • 07/13/2021
A vulnerability has been identified in RWG1.M12 (All versions < V1.16.16), RWG1.M12D (All versions < V1.16.16), RWG1.M8 (All versions < V1.16.16). Sending specially crafted ARP packets to an affected device could cause a partial denial-of-service, preventing the device to operate normally. A restart is needed to restore normal operations.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2021
This vulnerability affects several versions of RWG1.M12, RWG1.M12D, and RWG1.M8 network devices, specifically those running firmware versions prior to V1.16.16. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the device's ARP packet processing functionality, creating a potential attack vector that could disrupt normal network operations. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer over-read condition that occurs when the device receives malformed ARP packets, leading to unpredictable system behavior and service disruption. This represents a significant concern for industrial control systems and network infrastructure where continuous operation is critical for operational continuity.
The technical flaw manifests when the affected devices process specially crafted ARP packets that contain malformed or oversized data structures within the ARP protocol headers. These malicious packets trigger a memory access violation that causes the device to enter an unstable state, resulting in partial denial-of-service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to disrupt network operations without requiring authentication or specialized access privileges. The device's response to these malformed packets typically involves memory corruption that leads to system instability, forcing the device to become unresponsive to normal network traffic and requiring manual intervention through device restart to restore functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as affected devices may experience complete network partitioning within their local segments, potentially affecting critical infrastructure operations. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying and mitigating this vulnerability across multiple device types while minimizing operational downtime during patch deployment. The need for manual restart to restore normal operations creates additional operational overhead and potential safety risks in industrial environments where network availability is paramount. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a classic example of how protocol-level vulnerabilities can be exploited to cause system instability in embedded network devices.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions V1.16.16 or later, which contain patches addressing the ARP packet processing flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential attack surface by restricting direct network access to these devices. Implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous ARP traffic patterns may provide early warning of attempted exploitation. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and establish clear procedures for patch deployment and system restoration. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique, specifically focusing on network denial of service through protocol manipulation, highlighting the importance of implementing robust network protocol validation mechanisms. Regular security assessments and network traffic analysis should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts and ensure overall network resilience against similar vulnerabilities.