CVE-2017-6631 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the HTTP remote procedure call (RPC) service of Cisco Yes Set-Top Box devices could allow remote attackers to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Understanding CVE-2017-6631

This CVE identifies a flaw in the HTTP RPC service of set-top box (STB) receivers produced by Cisco for Yes, potentially enabling a DoS attack.

What is CVE-2017-6631?

The vulnerability arises from the inability of the affected device's firmware to handle specific XML values transmitted to the HTTP RPC service, allowing attackers to exploit this weakness.

The Impact of CVE-2017-6631

Remote attackers can initiate a DoS attack on vulnerable Cisco Yes Set-Top Box devices without authentication.
Successful exploitation can lead to device restarts, causing a DoS situation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-6631

This section provides detailed technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to disrupt the normal operation of affected devices by sending malformed requests.

Affected Systems and Versions

Products affected: Cisco Yes Set-Top Box
Vulnerable versions: Cisco Yes Set-Top Box

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by submitting malformed requests to the HTTP RPC service on the device's local subnet.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to address and prevent the CVE-2017-6631 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Yes has released firmware updates to address the vulnerability; customers are not required to take any action.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all affected devices are updated with the latest firmware to mitigate the vulnerability.