CVE-2023-24855 in AR8035
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Memory corruption in Modem while processing security related configuration before AS Security Exchange.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption issue within modem firmware that occurs during the processing of security configurations prior to the establishment of an AS Security Exchange. The flaw manifests when the modem handles security-related parameters and configuration data, creating opportunities for adversaries to exploit memory handling inconsistencies that could lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists in the pre-authentication phase of security operations, meaning attackers can potentially manipulate the modem's security state before legitimate security protocols are fully established. This memory corruption vulnerability directly impacts the integrity of the modem's security infrastructure and could enable attackers to bypass security measures that should normally be in place during the security exchange process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the configuration processing phase, where insufficient bounds checking or invalid memory access patterns exist within the modem's security handling code. Attackers can potentially trigger this condition by sending specially crafted security configuration data that causes the modem to allocate or access memory in unintended ways. The vulnerability may involve buffer overflows, use-after-free conditions, or other memory corruption patterns that are commonly classified under common weakness enumeration cwes such as cwe 121 heap-based buffer overflow or cwe 125 out-of-bounds read. The timing of the flaw during the pre-security exchange phase makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited before the system has fully established its security boundaries and protective mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or instability, as it could enable sophisticated attacks that compromise the entire modem security architecture. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to the modem's internal security state, manipulate security configurations, or even execute malicious code within the modem's execution environment. This represents a significant threat to network security infrastructure since modems often serve as critical gateways in communication networks and may control access to sensitive systems or data. The vulnerability could be exploited to establish persistent access points within network infrastructure, particularly in scenarios where modems are used in enterprise or industrial environments where security is paramount. The attack surface is particularly broad given that modems are deployed across various network environments and may be exposed to untrusted network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on firmware updates and patches provided by the modem manufacturers, which typically address the underlying memory handling issues through proper bounds checking and memory allocation procedures. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable modems to untrusted networks and ensure that security configurations are properly validated before being processed. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous security configuration patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing secure configuration management practices and regular security assessments of modem firmware can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The remediation approach should align with industry standards such as those recommended by nist and iso 27001 for managing firmware security vulnerabilities. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that modem security configurations remain robust against evolving threats.