CVE-2022-33296 in 315 5G IoT Modem
Summary
by MITRE • 04/13/2023
Memory corruption due to integer overflow to buffer overflow in Modem while parsing Traffic Channel Neighbor List Update message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2023
This vulnerability resides within modem firmware components responsible for processing Traffic Channel Neighbor List Update messages, representing a critical memory corruption flaw that can escalate to arbitrary code execution. The issue manifests as an integer overflow condition that ultimately leads to a buffer overflow scenario, demonstrating a classic software security weakness where improper input validation allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability specifically affects the modem's parsing logic for neighbor list update messages, which are routinely transmitted in cellular networks to maintain proper cell handoff operations and network connectivity. When processing malformed or excessively large neighbor list data structures, the modem fails to properly validate integer values before performing memory allocation calculations, creating a scenario where integer arithmetic overflow results in insufficient buffer sizing. This flaw operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains including network protocol analysis, embedded systems security, and mobile communications infrastructure. The vulnerability directly maps to common weakness enumerations such as CWE-190 for integer overflow and CWE-121 for stack-based buffer overflow, establishing clear technical foundations for understanding the attack surface. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to cellular network infrastructure as it can be exploited through network-based attacks targeting modem firmware components without requiring physical access or specialized equipment. The attack vector leverages the inherent trust placed in legitimate network signaling messages, allowing adversaries to craft malicious neighbor list updates that trigger the overflow condition. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving firmware manipulation and privilege escalation through software exploitation, specifically mapping to T1059.007 for application layer execution and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments in the context of network protocol abuse. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire cellular network segments, as the vulnerability can be triggered through standard network traffic without requiring user interaction or specialized attack infrastructure. Network operators face heightened risk during routine neighbor list updates, which occur frequently in mobile network operations and represent legitimate traffic patterns that attackers can exploit. The memory corruption aspect creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious code into the modem's execution environment, potentially enabling persistent backdoor access or complete system compromise. This vulnerability represents a particularly concerning class of issues in embedded systems where firmware updates may be infrequent or difficult to deploy across large network deployments, creating extended windows of exposure. The integer overflow condition typically occurs when the modem processes neighbor list entries that exceed expected size constraints, causing the calculation of buffer size to wrap around to a small value while the actual data payload remains large. This fundamental mismatch between allocated and required memory creates exploitable conditions where attackers can control data placement in memory, potentially overwriting critical program structures or return addresses. The security implications extend to mobile network security frameworks, as this vulnerability can undermine the integrity of cellular communications and potentially enable man-in-the-middle attacks or network reconnaissance activities. Organizations must consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous neighbor list update patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in embedded systems and highlights the need for robust integer overflow protections in firmware development processes. Mitigation strategies should include firmware updates from vendors, network monitoring to detect malformed neighbor list messages, and implementation of network access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious traffic patterns. This vulnerability exemplifies the challenges inherent in securing mobile network infrastructure where legacy systems and complex protocol interactions create numerous potential attack vectors that require continuous security assessment and remediation efforts. The integer overflow leading to buffer overflow represents a well-documented security pattern that requires careful attention to memory management practices in all network protocol implementations, particularly those operating in critical infrastructure environments where reliability and security are paramount considerations.