CVE-2024-23911 in Cente IPv6
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2024
Out-of-bounds read vulnerability caused by improper checking of the option length values in IPv6 NDP packets exists in Cente middleware TCP/IP Network Series, which may allow an unauthenticated attacker to stop the device operations by sending a specially crafted packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23911 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Cente middleware TCP/IP Network Series implementations. This security weakness stems from insufficient validation of option length parameters within IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Protocol packets, creating a scenario where malformed network traffic can trigger memory access violations. The vulnerability specifically affects devices that process IPv6 neighbor discovery messages, which are fundamental components of IPv6 network communication protocols used for address resolution and neighbor reachability verification.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability resides in the improper validation of IPv6 NDP packet option fields, particularly the length values associated with various options such as source link-layer address and target link-layer address options. When the middleware processes incoming IPv6 NDP packets, it fails to adequately verify that option length values fall within expected parameters, allowing attackers to craft packets with maliciously oversized or malformed option lengths. This insufficient bounds checking enables an attacker to cause the network middleware to attempt reading memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in unpredictable behavior and potential system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can lead to complete device termination and operational disruption within network infrastructure. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit this weakness by transmitting specially crafted IPv6 NDP packets that trigger the out-of-bounds read condition, causing the affected network devices to crash or become unresponsive. This vulnerability directly impacts network availability and can be particularly damaging in mission-critical environments where continuous network operation is essential. The attack vector requires no authentication credentials, making it accessible to any network entity capable of sending IPv6 packets to the vulnerable device, which significantly increases the attack surface.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index or buffer length, and represents a classic example of insufficient bounds checking in network protocol implementations. The attack pattern follows typical remote code execution or denial of service techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service. Organizations utilizing Cente middleware TCP/IP Network Series equipment face significant risk of operational disruption, as the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring any privileged access or specialized knowledge beyond basic network packet crafting capabilities. The remediation approach should focus on implementing proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the IPv6 NDP packet processing code, along with regular firmware updates from the vendor to address the specific memory access violations.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of robust input validation in network protocol implementations, particularly within middleware systems that handle critical network functions. Network administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks, while also ensuring that all network devices are kept up to date with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws in protocol handling can result in significant operational security risks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of network infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed IPv6 NDP traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.