CVE-2023-25642 in MC801A
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2023
There is a buffer overflow vulnerability in some ZTE mobile internet producsts. Due to insufficient validation of tcp port parameter, an authenticated attacker could use the vulnerability to perform a denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-25642 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within ZTE's mobile internet products, specifically affecting the handling of TCP port parameters. This weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or constrain the size of TCP port values processed by the affected devices. The vulnerability exists in the network protocol stack implementation where the system does not adequately verify the boundaries of incoming TCP port data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability occurs when an authenticated attacker submits a malformed TCP port parameter that exceeds the allocated buffer space within the device's memory management system. This condition typically arises during the processing of network connections or service configurations where TCP port values are parsed and stored. The insufficient validation allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121 which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking permits memory corruption through excessive data input.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2023-25642 manifests primarily as a denial of service condition that can render affected ZTE mobile internet products inoperable. The authenticated nature of the attack requirement means that adversaries must first establish valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability, typically through legitimate administrative access or compromised accounts. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as the vulnerability can be exploited by insiders or through credential compromise. The attack vector typically involves sending specially crafted network requests containing oversized TCP port parameters that trigger the buffer overflow condition during normal device operation.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks that could compromise the overall network infrastructure. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause system crashes, restarts, or even allow attackers to execute malicious code on the affected devices. This vulnerability particularly affects ZTE's mobile internet products that rely on TCP-based protocols for network communication, including routers, modems, and other network access devices. The impact is significant in enterprise and carrier environments where these devices form critical components of network infrastructure, potentially leading to widespread service outages and network disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25642 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from ZTE that address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify and contain potential attacks before they can cause significant damage. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and establish incident response procedures that address potential exploitation scenarios. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1071 which addresses application layer protocols, particularly focusing on how attackers can manipulate network services through protocol vulnerabilities.