CVE-2022-37098 in H200
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
H3C H200 H200V100R004 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the function UpdateIpv6Params.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37098 affects H3C H200 and H200V100R004 network devices, representing a critical stack overflow condition that can be exploited through the UpdateIpv6Params function. This issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management within the device's firmware implementation. The stack overflow occurs when processing specific IPv6 parameters, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to disrupt device operations or execute arbitrary code.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. The UpdateIpv6Params function likely receives untrusted input from network communications or management interfaces without proper sanitization or length verification. When the device processes malformed IPv6 configuration data, the function fails to validate input boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can result in unpredictable behavior including system crashes, denial of service, or potential code execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network infrastructure security as H3C devices are commonly deployed in enterprise and data center environments where network reliability is paramount. The stack overflow can be triggered through network-based attacks targeting the device's management interfaces or IPv6 configuration endpoints, potentially allowing remote attackers to gain unauthorized access or cause service disruption. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying affected devices within their infrastructure and implementing timely patches while maintaining operational continuity.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to include potential privilege escalation and persistent access mechanisms. Attackers could leverage the stack overflow to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected process, potentially leading to complete device compromise. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1068 which addresses privilege escalation through local exploits. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual IPv6 traffic patterns as part of their defensive strategy.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37098 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from H3C to address the underlying stack overflow condition. Network administrators should also implement network access controls to restrict management interface access to trusted sources only, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected H3C devices and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in network device firmware development, particularly for functions handling network protocol data processing.