CVE-2022-24700 in WinAPRS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/02/2022
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** An issue was discovered in WinAPRS 2.9.0. A buffer overflow in DIGI address processing for VHF KISS packets allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) via a malicious AX.25 packet over the air. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24700 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within WinAPRS version 2.9.0 that specifically targets the DIGI address processing functionality for VHF KISS packets. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and memory management when handling AX.25 packets transmitted over radio networks, creating a remote attack surface that can be exploited by adversaries positioned within the wireless communication range. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a fixed-length buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption and system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent structure of AX.25 protocol implementations where DIGI addresses are processed as part of the packet header information. When a maliciously crafted AX.25 packet containing oversized or malformed DIGI address data is received by the WinAPRS daemon, the insufficient buffer bounds checking causes the program to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption directly impacts the daemon's execution flow and results in an immediate crash of the service, effectively creating a denial of service condition that disrupts legitimate radio communication operations. The vulnerability specifically affects VHF KISS packet processing, which is fundamental to APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) operations used extensively in amateur radio networks for telemetry, messaging, and positioning services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise the reliability of amateur radio communication networks that depend on WinAPRS for packet handling and forwarding. In practical scenarios, this vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to disrupt emergency communication channels, hamper radio telemetry operations, or interfere with positioning services that rely on APRS infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for radio operators who may be unaware of the malicious packets being transmitted in their network. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through resource exhaustion or service interference.
Given that this vulnerability affects a product that is no longer supported by the maintainer, the attack surface remains unpatched and potentially exploitable in legacy systems still operational within amateur radio communities. The lack of official security updates for WinAPRS 2.9.0 means that organizations and individuals using this software face significant security risks without viable remediation paths. Mitigation strategies should focus on network segmentation to isolate vulnerable systems, implementing packet filtering rules to prevent malicious AX.25 traffic, and potentially upgrading to supported software alternatives that properly handle buffer boundaries and input validation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining software support for critical communication infrastructure and demonstrates how legacy systems can pose significant security risks when they are no longer receiving security updates. Organizations relying on such systems should consider comprehensive risk assessments and transition planning to avoid continued exposure to known vulnerabilities that cannot be remediated through official channels.