^{CVE-2020-11899:}Out-of-bounds Read Vulnerability in Treck TCP/IP Stack IPv6 Implementation

Overview

The vulnerability exists in the IPv6 implementation of the Treck TCP/IP stack, which is widely used in embedded systems and IoT devices. When processing certain IPv6 packets, the stack may read outside the bounds of allocated memory, potentially exposing sensitive information or causing system instability. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because:

1. The Treck TCP/IP stack is embedded in numerous devices across multiple industries including healthcare, industrial control systems, energy, and consumer electronics.
2. Many affected devices are difficult to identify due to supply chain complexity, as the Treck stack may be incorporated into products without end-users' knowledge.
3. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely by sending specially crafted IPv6 packets to the affected device.
4. Many affected devices may be difficult to patch due to their embedded nature or operational criticality.

Remediation

To address this vulnerability, the following actions are recommended:

1. Update to Treck TCP/IP stack version 6.0.1.66 or later, which contains the security fix.
2. If direct updates are not possible, contact your device manufacturer for specific firmware updates that incorporate the patched Treck stack.
3. Network segmentation: Isolate vulnerable devices in separate network segments with restricted access.
4. Implement firewall rules to filter potentially malicious IPv6 traffic directed at vulnerable devices.
5. Monitor network traffic for unusual IPv6 packets that might indicate exploitation attempts.
6. Consider using IPv6 filtering or disabling IPv6 functionality if not required for operation, as a temporary mitigation.
7. Conduct a thorough inventory of devices to identify those potentially affected by this vulnerability.

References

1. JSOF Ripple20 Research: https://www.jsof-tech.com/ripple20/
2. US-CERT Vulnerability Note: https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/257161/
3. Treck Inc. Website (for updates): https://www.treck.com
4. Cisco Advisory: https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-treck-ip-stack-JyBQ5GyC
5. Intel Security Advisory: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00295.html
6. NetApp Security Advisory: https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20200625-0006/
7. Dell Response to Ripple20: https://www.dell.com/support/article/de-de/sln321836/dell-response-to-the-ripple20-vulnerabilities
8. Aruba Networks Advisory: http://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/alert/ARUBA-PSA-2020-006.txt
9. CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read): https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/125.html