CVE-2023-33095 in Snapdragon
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2024
Transient DOS while processing multiple payload container type with incorrect container length received in DL NAS transport OTA in NR.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2025
This vulnerability exists within the 5G New Radio (NR) network infrastructure, specifically affecting the Diameter over Transport Protocol (DL NAS transport OTA) processing mechanism. The flaw manifests as a transient denial of service condition that occurs when the system receives multiple payload containers with incorrect container length specifications. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-129 as an insufficient input validation, where the system fails to properly validate the container length fields in the received payloads. This weakness allows an attacker to manipulate the container length values in the Diameter protocol messages, leading to unpredictable behavior in the network function processing. The issue affects the core network elements responsible for handling NAS (Non-Access Stratum) messages in 5G environments, particularly impacting the authentication and registration processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the improper handling of container length fields within the DL NAS transport protocol. When multiple payload containers are received with malformed length indicators, the processing logic fails to properly validate these values against expected ranges or boundaries. This results in a transient system state where the network function becomes unresponsive or enters an undefined processing state. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the transport layer of the 5G core network, where it can disrupt critical services such as user authentication, session management, and network registration processes. The attack vector requires the adversary to send specifically crafted Diameter messages with incorrect container length values, which can be achieved through manipulation of the network signaling plane. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1590 for reconnaissance and T1499 for endpoint disruption, as the attacker can cause temporary service degradation without requiring physical access or complex infrastructure compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can potentially affect the reliability and availability of 5G network services. Network functions that process these DL NAS transport messages may experience temporary unresponsiveness, leading to failed user registrations, authentication failures, and disruption of ongoing sessions. The transient nature of the denial of service means that the system may recover automatically after processing the malformed payload, but this recovery time creates window of vulnerability during which network services remain degraded. This vulnerability affects the overall network resilience and can be particularly damaging in mission-critical applications where 5G connectivity is essential. The impact is further amplified by the fact that such attacks can be automated and executed at scale, potentially affecting multiple network functions simultaneously. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks where the transient disruption can be used as a cover for other malicious activities or as a means to test network resilience and response mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms and enhancing monitoring capabilities within the 5G core network infrastructure. Network operators should deploy enhanced validation procedures that strictly check container length fields in received Diameter messages before processing them. The implementation of rate limiting and anomaly detection systems can help identify and block suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular firmware updates and patches should be applied to ensure that network functions are protected against known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The security architecture should include automated monitoring systems that can detect transient service disruptions and trigger incident response procedures. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their 5G network infrastructure. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper protocol implementation and validation in 5G networks, where the complexity of the signaling protocols creates numerous potential attack surfaces that require careful security consideration and continuous monitoring.