Wind River VxWorks is a market-leading real-time operating system (RTOS) that powers a vast array of critical infrastructure and embedded systems around the world. As such, any vulnerabilities in this software could have disastrous consequences on impacted devices. In this long read post, we'll explore CVE-2022-38767, a recently discovered severe vulnerability in VxWorks versions 6.9 and 7 that could lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack when a maliciously crafted packet is sent by a Radius server during the IP Radius access procedure.

We'll delve into the details of this issue, including its origin, how to test for it, and how you can mitigate your risks if you're running affected VxWorks versions. This article will also provide code snippets and links to original references, ensuring you have everything you need to fully understand this critical vulnerability.

CVE-2022-38767: The Basics

CVE ID: CVE-2022-38767
Severity: Critical
Versions affected: Wind River VxWorks 6.9 and 7

What is the vulnerability?

In VxWorks 6.9 and 7, there is a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to send a specifically crafted packet to a Radius server, potentially causing a Denial of Service (DoS) during the IP Radius access procedure. This vulnerability can impact any devices running affected versions of VxWorks that utilize Radius server authentication.

Origins of the vulnerability

The exact origin of this vulnerability is not yet known. However, it was first reported and added to the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database on [insert date]. Since then, experts have been working to dissect the issue and provide guidance on how to mitigate potential threats from bad actors.

The technical nitty-gritty

Without delving too deep into the technicalities, the vulnerability essentially exploits a weakness in the process of handling Radius authentication packets. In VxWorks 6.9 and 7, the receipt of an improperly formatted packet can trigger a chain reaction of events that ultimately lead to the crumbling of the system.

Here's a code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability

// Simulated malicious packet sent by Radius server
unsigned char malicious_packet[] = {
  x01, x00, x00, xC, x17, x40, x8C, x1A,
  //...rest of the malicious packet...
};

int main() {
  radius_packet* packet = parse_radius_packet(malicious_packet, sizeof(malicious_packet));
  if (packet == NULL) {
    cout << "Unable to parse packet. Potential DoS!" << endl;
  } else {
    // Continue processing normally
  }
}

- This code snippet is meant to showcase the vulnerability's mechanism and isn't directly related to VxWorks' codebase.

Original references

1. Official CVE Entry: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-38767
2. Wind River VxWorks Security Advisory: https://www.windriver.com/security/announcements/vxworks/CVE-2022-38767

To determine if your VxWorks system is vulnerable to this attack, perform the following steps

1. Identify the specific version of VxWorks running on your system by checking your system information or by contacting your system administrator or vendor.
2. If your system is running VxWorks 6.9 or 7, contact the vendor or consult the Wind River VxWorks security advisory for more information and updates.

To protect your system from this vulnerability, you can immediately apply the following steps

1. Patch your affected systems: Wind River has provided patches and fixes for this vulnerability. Contact your vendor or Wind River's support team to obtain the most recent patch for your VxWorks version.
2. Limit access to trusted networks: To reduce the risk of exploitation, limit access to your devices running vulnerable VxWorks versions to trusted networks only.
3. Monitor for unusual activity: Keep an eye on your system and networks for any unexpected spikes in load or performance, which could be an indicator of a DoS or DDoS attack.

Conclusion

CVE-2022-38767 is a critical vulnerability affecting Wind River VxWorks 6.9 and 7, allowing a specifically crafted packet sent by a malicious Radius server to potentially cause a Denial of Service during the IP Radius access procedure. It is crucial that organizations running affected versions of VxWorks apply the recommended patches and follow the mitigation steps outlined in this post to protect their systems from potential attacks. Stay vigilant and stay secure.

Timeline

Published on: 11/25/2022 15:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 12/01/2022 13:49:00 UTC