CVE-2020-24482 in 7360 Cell Modem
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2021
Improper buffer restrictions in firmware for Intel(R) 7360 Cell Modem before UDE version 9.4.370 may allow unauthenticated user to potentially enable denial of service via network access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-24482 represents a critical buffer management flaw within the firmware of Intel(R) 7360 Cell Modem devices. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient buffer size enforcement mechanisms that govern how the modem processes incoming network data. The vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to UDE version 9.4.370, indicating that Intel had not yet implemented proper safeguards against malicious input manipulation in their earlier releases. The flaw resides in the modem's network processing stack where buffer boundaries are not properly enforced, creating opportunities for attackers to craft specially malformed network packets that can trigger unexpected behavior in the device's memory management subsystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through network-based attacks that leverage malformed buffer inputs to cause the modem to behave unpredictably. When the device receives network traffic that exceeds or manipulates expected buffer boundaries, it can lead to memory corruption scenarios that may result in system instability. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of buffer boundaries, and represents a classic example of buffer overflow or underflow conditions that can be exploited by adversaries. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any network-accessible attacker can potentially trigger this condition without requiring prior authorization or credentials to access the device.
Operationally, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Intel 7360 Cell Modem devices for critical communications infrastructure. The potential for denial of service impacts business continuity and operational reliability, as affected devices could become unresponsive or require manual intervention to restore functionality. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying vulnerable devices within their infrastructure and implementing remediation strategies without disrupting ongoing communications services. The vulnerability's network-accessible nature means that attackers could potentially target these devices from external networks, making them particularly attractive targets for large-scale disruption campaigns. Organizations utilizing these modems in industrial control systems, remote monitoring applications, or critical infrastructure communications face heightened risk due to the potential for cascading failures when multiple devices become compromised.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-24482 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation approaches. Organizations should immediately prioritize updating all affected Intel 7360 Cell Modem devices to UDE version 9.4.370 or later, which contains the necessary buffer boundary enforcement mechanisms. Network administrators should implement strict ingress filtering and access control measures to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks while monitoring for anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network intrusion detection systems with signatures specific to this vulnerability can help identify and block malicious traffic targeting these devices. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated firmware in controlled environments to ensure compatibility with existing network configurations and operational requirements, while maintaining backup procedures to restore functionality in case of unexpected issues during the update process.