CVE-2018-5951 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Researchers have identified a vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS that allows an attacker to trigger system reboots by sending a specially crafted 1-byte packet to an IPv6 address with IP Protocol 97.

Understanding CVE-2018-5951

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS that can lead to system reboots when exploited.

What is CVE-2018-5951?

The vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOS allows attackers to remotely reboot the system by sending a specific 1-byte packet to an IPv6 address with IP Protocol 97.

The Impact of CVE-2018-5951

This vulnerability affects all versions of RouterOS that support EoIPv6, potentially leading to denial of service and disruption of services.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-5951

This section provides detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

Crafting and sending a 1-byte packet to an IPv6 address with IP Protocol 97 on a RouterOS device triggers an immediate system reboot.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Mikrotik RouterOS
Vendor: Mikrotik
Versions: All versions supporting EoIPv6

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers send a specially designed 1-byte packet to an IPv6 address with IP Protocol 97
The system interprets the packet, leading to an immediate reboot

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect systems from CVE-2018-5951 with these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied patches or updates promptly
Implement firewall rules to restrict access to vulnerable services
Monitor network traffic for suspicious activities

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing
Educate users and administrators on security best practices

Patching and Updates

Check for and apply patches released by Mikrotik to address the vulnerability
Keep RouterOS up to date with the latest security fixes and enhancements