CVE-2017-2836 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

FreeRDP 2.0.0-beta1+android11 is affected by a security vulnerability that can lead to denial of service attacks. This CVE was published on July 24, 2017, by Talos.

Understanding CVE-2017-2836

This CVE involves a vulnerability in FreeRDP 2.0.0-beta1+android11 that allows attackers to trigger denial of service by manipulating server certificates.

What is CVE-2017-2836?

The vulnerability in FreeRDP 2.0.0-beta1+android11 enables attackers to cause the program to terminate, resulting in a denial of service scenario. It is triggered by sending a specially crafted challenge packet.

The Impact of CVE-2017-2836

CVSS Base Score: 6.5 (Medium Severity)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Availability Impact: High
User Interaction: Required
Scope: Unchanged
This vulnerability does not impact confidentiality or integrity but can lead to a denial of service situation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-2836

FreeRDP 2.0.0-beta1+android11 vulnerability details:

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in how the program reads proprietary server certificates.
Attackers can exploit this by sending a crafted challenge packet.

Affected Systems and Versions

FreeRDP version 2.0.0-beta1+android11 on Windows, OSX, and Linux.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trigger this vulnerability by compromising the server or executing a man-in-the-middle attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address CVE-2017-2836:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update FreeRDP to a patched version.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches to mitigate vulnerabilities.