CVE-2023-33049 in 4 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Summary
by MITRE • 02/06/2024
Transient DOS in Multi-Mode Call Processor due to UE failure because of heap leakage.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-33049 represents a critical transient denial of service condition within multi-mode call processors that specifically manifests when user equipment fails due to heap memory leakage. This issue occurs in telecommunications infrastructure where devices must manage multiple simultaneous call modes while maintaining stable system operations. The flaw exploits a memory management weakness in the processor's handling of user equipment failure scenarios, creating a cascading effect that can temporarily incapacitate the entire call processing system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in improper heap memory deallocation mechanisms within the multi-mode call processor's memory management subsystem. When user equipment encounters a failure condition, the system attempts to handle the error by allocating additional memory resources to process the failure event. However, the memory cleanup procedures fail to properly release allocated heap segments, resulting in progressive memory leakage that eventually exhausts available heap space. This memory exhaustion causes the system to become unresponsive during critical call processing operations, particularly when multiple failure events occur simultaneously.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential cascading failures within telecommunications networks. Network operators may experience temporary loss of call processing capabilities across affected systems, leading to dropped calls and service degradation for end users. The transient nature of the denial of service means that the system may recover automatically once the memory leakage reaches critical thresholds, but this recovery process can take several minutes to complete, creating significant operational downtime. The vulnerability particularly affects systems handling high volumes of concurrent calls where multiple user equipment failures can occur simultaneously, amplifying the memory leakage effect.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper release of memory, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. The memory leakage pattern indicates a failure in the system's ability to maintain proper resource utilization under stress conditions, particularly when processing failure scenarios. The multi-mode call processor architecture creates additional complexity as it must manage different communication protocols and modes simultaneously, increasing the potential attack surface for memory management issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-33049 require immediate implementation of enhanced memory management protocols within the multi-mode call processor systems. Network operators should deploy memory leak detection mechanisms that can identify and isolate failing memory allocation patterns before they cause system-wide denial of service. Regular system monitoring should include heap memory utilization tracking with automated alerts when memory usage exceeds predefined thresholds. Additionally, implementing proper memory cleanup procedures that ensure all allocated heap segments are properly released during user equipment failure handling processes will prevent the accumulation of leaked memory segments. System updates should include patches that address the specific heap management flaws, with priority given to critical network infrastructure components that handle high-volume call processing operations.