CVE-2023-32886 in MT2735
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2024
In Modem IMS SMS UA, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: MOLY00730807; Issue ID: MOLY00730807.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32886 affects the Modem IMS SMS User Agent component within mobile device firmware ecosystems. This represents a critical security flaw that resides in the underlying communication protocols governing SMS messaging operations on cellular devices. The issue manifests specifically within the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) framework which handles multimedia communications including voice, video, and messaging services over packet-switched networks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at a foundational level of mobile communication infrastructure, affecting the core messaging capabilities that billions of users depend upon daily.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check within the SMS message processing logic of the IMS User Agent. When processing incoming SMS messages, the system fails to validate the length or size parameters of specific message fields before writing data to memory buffers. This classic programming error creates an opportunity for an attacker to craft malicious SMS messages that exceed predetermined buffer limits, resulting in memory corruption. The vulnerability is classified as an out-of-bounds write condition that aligns with CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write flaws in software systems. The absence of proper input validation allows arbitrary data to be written beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, though that represents the primary exploitation vector. An attacker can remotely trigger this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted SMS message to a targeted device, requiring no user interaction or elevated privileges for successful exploitation. This autonomous exploitation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users frequently receive unsolicited messages and SMS-based attacks are increasingly common. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can target devices from anywhere in the world without physical access or user engagement, effectively creating a scalable attack surface. The vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.005 for command and control communications and T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
The patch implementation identified as MOLY00730807 addresses this issue by introducing proper bounds checking mechanisms within the SMS message processing routines. This remediation ensures that all incoming message parameters are validated against predetermined size limits before any memory operations occur. The fix likely involves implementing additional input validation routines that check message length fields, content size parameters, and buffer allocation limits before proceeding with data processing. Device manufacturers and mobile network operators must prioritize the deployment of this patch across affected firmware versions to protect their user bases from potential exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of memory safety practices in embedded systems and mobile communications infrastructure, where the consequences of buffer overflows can extend far beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise device integrity and user privacy. Organizations should implement comprehensive testing procedures to validate patch effectiveness and monitor for potential variant attacks that might exploit similar weaknesses in related components of the IMS framework.