CVE-2023-32887 in MT2735
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2024
In Modem IMS Stack, there is a possible system crash 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: MOLY01161837; Issue ID: MOLY01161837 (MSV-892).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-32887 resides within the Modem IMS Stack component of mobile device firmware, representing a critical security flaw that undermines system stability and availability. This issue affects the underlying telecommunications infrastructure that enables voice and messaging services on modern smartphones and mobile devices. The vulnerability manifests as a missing bounds check in the modem's IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) processing logic, which governs how multimedia sessions are established and maintained over IP networks. The IMS stack serves as the core framework for VoLTE (Voice over LTE), video calling, and other advanced communication services, making this flaw particularly concerning for mobile network operators and end users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the modem's IMS processing routines, specifically in how the system handles incoming signaling messages. When malformed or excessively large data packets are received through the IMS subsystem, the absence of proper bounds checking allows the processing logic to attempt operations beyond the allocated memory boundaries. This memory corruption scenario can trigger unpredictable behavior within the modem's execution environment, ultimately leading to a system crash or complete hang of the modem service. The flaw operates at the kernel level of the modem firmware, where the absence of bounds checking creates a direct pathway for memory corruption that can be exploited without requiring any elevated privileges or user interaction. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of remote denial of service attacks that can be triggered through network-based communication without any physical access or authentication requirements.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-32887 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the reliability of critical communication services on affected devices. Mobile network operators face significant risk of widespread service degradation across their networks when this vulnerability is exploited, as the modem crash can affect multiple simultaneous communication sessions and prevent new connections from being established. The lack of user interaction requirements means that malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability at scale through automated network-based attacks, potentially causing cascading failures that affect entire network segments. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, as it enables remote exploitation without requiring additional privileges or complex attack chains. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-129, which describes improper bounds checking, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are fundamental software security principles that should be enforced throughout the modem's codebase.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on firmware updates provided by device manufacturers and mobile network operators, as the patch ID MOLY01161837 specifically addresses the bounds checking implementation within the modem's IMS stack. Network operators should prioritize the deployment of this firmware update across their device fleets to prevent exploitation, particularly given the remote nature of the attack vector and the potential for widespread service disruption. Device manufacturers must also implement more robust input validation mechanisms in future firmware releases to prevent similar issues from emerging in subsequent versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper bounds checking in embedded systems and kernel-level code, where memory safety violations can lead to complete system compromise. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed IMS signaling messages that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the impact of potential exploitation while waiting for firmware updates to be deployed across all affected devices.