CVE-2021-27421 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-27421 on NXP MCUXpresso SDK versions prior to 2.8.2. Learn about the high severity vulnerability, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
NXP MCUXpresso SDK versions prior to 2.8.2 are vulnerable to an integer overflow in the SDK_Malloc function, which can lead to memory access outside the array bounds. This could result in unexpected behavior like segmentation fault.
Understanding CVE-2021-27421
This CVE highlights a critical vulnerability in NXP MCUXpresso SDK prior to version 2.8.2 that can be exploited through an integer overflow issue.
What is CVE-2021-27421?
The vulnerability in NXP MCUXpresso SDK versions prior to 2.8.2 is due to an integer overflow in the SDK_Malloc function, allowing attackers to access memory outside the array bounds.
The Impact of CVE-2021-27421
The impact of this CVE is rated as high severity with a base score of 7.3. It could lead to unexpected behavior, including segmentation faults, by accessing memory areas beyond what is allocated.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-27421
This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability involves an integer overflow in SDK_Malloc, enabling unauthorized access to memory regions beyond the allocated array, potentially leading to crashes or malicious manipulation of data.
Affected Systems and Versions
NXP MCUXpresso SDK versions earlier than 2.8.2 are impacted by this vulnerability, highlighting the importance of updating to secure versions promptly.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through crafted input to trigger the integer overflow, allowing them to access unintended memory spaces and disrupt the normal operation of the affected systems.
Mitigation and Prevention
Mitigation strategies and preventive measures for addressing CVE-2021-27421.
Immediate Steps to Take
It is crucial to update NXP MCUXpresso SDK to version 2.8.2 or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation associated with this vulnerability.
Long-Term Security Practices
Enhancing secure coding practices and conducting regular security assessments can help prevent vulnerabilities like integer overflow from posing threats in the future.
Patching and Updates
Regularly applying security patches and updates provided by NXP for MCUXpresso SDK is essential to ensure the mitigation of known vulnerabilities.