CVE-2021-31226 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in HCC embedded InterNiche 4.0.1, leading to a potential heap buffer overflow due to the lack of size validation in the code that parses HTTP POST requests.

Understanding CVE-2021-31226

This CVE identifies a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in HCC embedded InterNiche 4.0.1, triggered by a crafted HTTP POST request with a URI longer than 50 bytes.

What is CVE-2021-31226?

CVE-2021-31226 highlights a security flaw in the HTTP POST request parsing code of HCC embedded InterNiche 4.0.1, allowing an attacker to perform a heap overflow using a specific URI length.

The Impact of CVE-2021-31226

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the application, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-31226

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability affecting HCC embedded InterNiche 4.0.1.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from a lack of size validation in the code handling HTTP POST requests, enabling a heap buffer overflow via a crafted URI length exceeding 50 bytes.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts HCC embedded InterNiche 4.0.1 versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending a specially crafted HTTP POST request with a URI longer than 50 bytes, leading to a heap overflow in wbs_post() through strcpy() calls.

Mitigation and Prevention

Learn how to protect your systems from the CVE-2021-31226 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Conduct a security review to detect any potential exploitation attempts.
Implement network controls to restrict access to vulnerable systems.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly apply security patches and updates to the affected software.
Employ secure coding practices to validate input sizes and prevent buffer overflows.
Train personnel on cybersecurity best practices and response procedures.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from the software vendor. Promptly apply relevant patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.