CVE-2019-13271 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Edimax BR-6208AC V1 devices have a vulnerability that allows for a covert channel due to insufficient separation between primary and secondary networks.

Understanding CVE-2019-13271

This CVE identifies a security flaw in Edimax BR-6208AC V1 devices that can be exploited to establish a covert channel through ARP requests.

What is CVE-2019-13271?

The vulnerability in Edimax BR-6208AC V1 devices arises from the lack of proper isolation between a primary network and a secondary network set up by the same device. This flaw enables the transmission of ARP requests, typically broadcast packets, between these networks, creating a potential covert channel.

The Impact of CVE-2019-13271

The vulnerability allows an attacker to send ARP requests to any computer on the network, utilizing the lower 8 bits or the full 32 bits of the IP address as the data payload. This can lead to unauthorized access and data leakage.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-13271

Edimax BR-6208AC V1 devices are affected by a security issue that facilitates covert communication through ARP requests.

Vulnerability Description

The devices lack proper network segmentation, allowing ARP requests to be transmitted between different networks, potentially leading to unauthorized data access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Edimax BR-6208AC V1
Vendor: Edimax
Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending ARP requests to any computer on the network, using the IP address as a covert channel.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-13271, immediate steps and long-term security practices are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable ARP forwarding on the affected devices if possible.
Implement network segmentation to prevent unauthorized communication between networks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits to identify and address potential network vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Check for firmware updates from Edimax to address the CVE-2019-13271 vulnerability.