CVE-2020-20225 : What You Need to Know
Learn about CVE-2020-20225, an assertion failure vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOs before 6.47. Find out how an attacker can cause a Denial of Service and steps to mitigate the risk.
Mikrotik RouterOs before 6.47 (stable tree) suffers from an assertion failure vulnerability in the /nova/bin/user process. An authenticated remote attacker can cause a Denial of Service due to an assertion failure via a crafted packet.
Understanding CVE-2020-20225
This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOs that can lead to a Denial of Service attack.
What is CVE-2020-20225?
CVE-2020-20225 is an assertion failure vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOs before version 6.47, specifically in the /nova/bin/user process. It allows an authenticated remote attacker to trigger a Denial of Service by sending a specially crafted packet.
The Impact of CVE-2020-20225
The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to cause a Denial of Service on affected systems, disrupting their normal operation.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-20225
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Mikrotik RouterOs before 6.47 involves an assertion failure in the /nova/bin/user process, which can be triggered by a crafted packet sent by an authenticated remote attacker.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Affected Product: Mikrotik RouterOs
- Affected Version: Before 6.47 (stable tree)
Exploitation Mechanism
An authenticated remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specifically crafted packet to the /nova/bin/user process, triggering an assertion failure and leading to a Denial of Service.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-20225 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Update Mikrotik RouterOs to version 6.47 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.
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 impact of potential attacks.
Patching and Updates
- Apply security patches provided by Mikrotik promptly to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2020-20225.