CVE-2024-23915 in libfluid
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2024
Unchecked Return Value to NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability in Open Networking Foundation (ONF) libfluid (libfluid_msg module). This vulnerability is associated with program routines fluid_msg::of13::InstructionSet::unpack.
This issue affects libfluid: 0.1.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-23915 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Open Networking Foundation's libfluid library, specifically in the fluid_msg::of13::InstructionSet::unpack routine. This issue stems from an unchecked return value that allows maliciously crafted OpenFlow protocol messages to trigger unauthorized memory access patterns. The vulnerability exists in libfluid version 0.1.0 and impacts systems that utilize this library for processing OpenFlow 1.3 protocol messages, particularly within software-defined networking environments where OF13 protocol handling is essential for network control plane operations.
The technical flaw manifests when the unpack function fails to validate return values from underlying operations before proceeding with pointer dereferences. This unchecked return value condition creates a scenario where a null pointer is dereferenced during message processing, leading to potential application crashes or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-476 as a null pointer dereference, which represents a fundamental programming error where a pointer expected to contain a valid memory address instead contains NULL, causing the application to terminate abruptly or behave unpredictably. The flaw is particularly dangerous in networking contexts where uninterrupted operation is critical for network infrastructure reliability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can compromise the integrity of software-defined networking controllers and switches that rely on libfluid for OpenFlow message processing. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted OF13 messages that trigger the null pointer dereference during unpack operations, potentially causing denial of service conditions that disrupt network operations or enabling more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability affects the broader ONF ecosystem where libfluid serves as a foundational component for OpenFlow protocol handling, making it a significant concern for network infrastructure providers and cybersecurity professionals managing SDN environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23915 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libfluid versions to address the unchecked return value handling in the InstructionSet::unpack routine. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous OpenFlow message patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security controls should include input validation for all OpenFlow protocol messages and runtime checks that prevent null pointer dereference conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through software exploitation, with potential for lateral movement if the affected systems are part of larger network infrastructures. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious OpenFlow message formats and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing protocol-level vulnerabilities in SDN environments.