CVE-2022-3354 in Open5GS
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2022
A vulnerability has been found in Open5GS up to 2.4.10 and classified as problematic. This vulnerability affects unknown code in the library lib/core/ogs-tlv-msg.c of the component UDP Packet Handler. The manipulation leads to denial of service. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. VDB-209686 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3354 resides within the Open5GS telecommunications framework, specifically in the lib/core/ogs-tlv-msg.c library component responsible for handling UDP packets. This issue affects versions up to 2.4.10 and represents a significant security concern due to its potential for causing denial of service conditions. The vulnerability manifests in the UDP Packet Handler component where improper handling of malformed TLV (Type-Length-Value) encoded messages can lead to system instability and service disruption. The flaw exists in the core packet processing logic that governs how the system interprets and processes network traffic, making it particularly dangerous in telecommunication infrastructure environments where reliability is paramount.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when maliciously crafted UDP packets containing malformed TLV structures are sent to the affected Open5GS system. The improper validation and processing of these structures within the ogs-tlv-msg.c module can cause the application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the telecommunications service unavailable to legitimate users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length fields, and represents a classic example of a buffer over-read or improper input validation issue. The attack vector is straightforward as it requires only the ability to send UDP packets to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the system may be exposed to untrusted network traffic.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3354 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire telecommunications networks that rely on Open5GS for core network functions. In 5G and 4G networks, where Open5GS serves as a crucial component for handling signaling messages and managing user sessions, a successful exploitation can lead to cascading failures affecting multiple users and services. The vulnerability's public disclosure through VDB-209686 means that threat actors have already developed methods to exploit this weakness, increasing the risk to organizations that have not yet applied the necessary patches. The lack of input sanitization in the UDP packet handler creates a persistent threat that can be leveraged repeatedly, making it a high-priority issue for network security teams managing telecommunication infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch application to versions 2.4.11 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for the TLV message processing logic. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected components to untrusted networks. The implementation of input validation mechanisms and proper error handling within the UDP packet processing pipeline can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of UDP traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in the broader telecommunications infrastructure. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, highlighting the need for both preventive measures and incident response capabilities to address potential exploitation attempts.