CVE-2020-24337 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis
Learn about CVE-2020-24337, a Denial-of-Service vulnerability in picoTCP and picoTCP-NG versions up to 1.7.0. Find out the impact, affected systems, exploitation method, and mitigation steps.
An issue was discovered in picoTCP and picoTCP-NG through 1.7.0 that can lead to a Denial-of-Service attack by causing an infinite loop in the code that parses TCP options.
Understanding CVE-2020-24337
This CVE involves a vulnerability in picoTCP and picoTCP-NG versions up to 1.7.0 that can be exploited to trigger a Denial-of-Service attack.
What is CVE-2020-24337?
The vulnerability allows for a Denial-of-Service attack by exploiting an unsupported TCP option with zero length in an incoming TCP packet, leading to an infinite loop in the tcp_parse_options() function in pico_tcp.c.
The Impact of CVE-2020-24337
Exploiting this vulnerability can result in a Denial-of-Service condition, potentially disrupting network communication and services.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-24337
This section provides more in-depth technical details about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue arises when an unsupported TCP option with zero length is provided in an incoming TCP packet, causing an infinite loop in the code that parses TCP options, specifically in the tcp_parse_options() function in pico_tcp.c.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: picoTCP and picoTCP-NG
- Versions affected: Up to 1.7.0
Exploitation Mechanism
By sending a crafted TCP packet with an unsupported TCP option containing zero length, an attacker can trigger the vulnerability, leading to a Denial-of-Service condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-24337 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
- Implement network-level protections to filter out potentially malicious TCP packets.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
- Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate weaknesses in network protocols.
Patching and Updates
- Check for patches or updates provided by picoTCP or picoTCP-NG to address the vulnerability.
- Ensure timely application of patches to secure systems against potential attacks.