CVE-2017-12118 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2017-12118 article provides insights into an improper authorization vulnerability in the miner_stop API of cpp-ethereum's JSON-RPC, affecting Ethereum commit 4e1015743b95821849d001618a7ce82c7c073768.

Understanding CVE-2017-12118

This vulnerability, assigned to Talos, was made public on January 9, 2018, with a CVSS base score of 4.

What is CVE-2017-12118?

An improper authorization vulnerability in the miner_stop API of cpp-ethereum's JSON-RPC allows attackers to exploit the system by sending JSON requests.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12118

CVSS Score: 4 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: High
Scope: Changed
Availability Impact: Low
Confidentiality Impact: None
Integrity Impact: None
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12118

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is due to improper authorization in the miner_stop API of cpp-ethereum's JSON-RPC, specifically in commit 4e1015743b95821849d001618a7ce82c7c073768.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: CPP-Ethereum
Vendor: Talos
Affected Version: Ethereum commit 4e1015743b95821849d001618a7ce82c7c073768

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted JSON requests to the miner_stop API.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2017-12118 with these strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Monitor and filter incoming JSON requests for suspicious activities.
Apply security patches and updates promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and assessments.
Educate users and developers on secure coding practices.
Stay informed about emerging vulnerabilities and best practices.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from Talos and cpp-ethereum to address this vulnerability.