CVE-2018-1158 : Security Advisory and Response

A stack exhaustion vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS versions prior to 6.42.7 and 6.40.9 could allow an authenticated remote attacker to crash the HTTP server by recursively parsing JSON.

Understanding CVE-2018-1158

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS that could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service.

What is CVE-2018-1158?

The CVE-2018-1158 vulnerability is a stack exhaustion issue in Mikrotik RouterOS versions before 6.42.7 and 6.40.9. It arises when an authenticated remote attacker performs recursive parsing of JSON, leading to a crash of the HTTP server.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1158

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a denial of service, causing the HTTP server to crash and potentially disrupting network services.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1158

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2018-1158 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS versions prior to 6.42.7 and 6.40.9 allows an authenticated remote attacker to exhaust the stack by recursively parsing JSON, leading to an HTTP server crash.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mikrotik RouterOS versions before 6.42.7 and 6.40.9

Exploitation Mechanism

An authenticated remote attacker performs recursive parsing of JSON

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-1158 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mikrotik RouterOS to versions 6.42.7 or 6.40.9 to mitigate the vulnerability
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to prevent known vulnerabilities
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Mikrotik to address the CVE-2018-1158 vulnerability