CVE-2024-23923 in Halo9
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2024
Alpine Halo9 prh_l2_sar_data_ind Use-After-Free Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Alpine Halo9 devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the prh_l2_sar_data_ind function. The issue results from the lack of validating the existence of an object prior to performing operations on the object. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root.
Was ZDI-CAN-22945
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2024
The CVE-2024-23923 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw in the Alpine Halo9 prh_l2_sar_data_ind function that enables remote code execution without authentication requirements. This vulnerability exists within the wireless communication processing subsystem of Alpine Halo9 devices, specifically affecting how the system handles SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) data indicators during radio layer operations. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to verify object existence before executing operations on memory references, creating a dangerous window where freed memory can be accessed and manipulated by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic use-after-free condition where the prh_l2_sar_data_ind function processes incoming wireless data without proper null checking or reference validation. According to CWE-416, this represents a use-after-free vulnerability that allows attackers to exploit freed memory locations and potentially overwrite critical system structures. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that network-adjacent attackers can trigger the flaw through crafted wireless communications without requiring any authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for wireless infrastructure deployments. The attack surface extends to all Alpine Halo9 devices running affected firmware versions where the prh_l2_sar_data_ind function handles SAR data processing operations.
Operational impact assessment reveals that successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise with root-level privileges, as the flaw allows arbitrary code execution in the highest privilege context. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, enabling attackers to establish persistent access and potentially escalate their privileges to system administrator level. This vulnerability particularly affects wireless base stations and communication infrastructure that rely on Alpine Halo9's radio processing capabilities, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt services, intercept communications, or gain unauthorized access to connected networks. The lack of authentication requirements significantly amplifies the threat profile, as attackers can exploit this vulnerability from any network location that can reach the affected device.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Alpine to address the underlying use-after-free condition in the prh_l2_sar_data_ind function. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit network-adjacent access to affected devices, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous wireless communication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation signatures related to memory corruption patterns. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate remediation, as it represents a critical risk to wireless infrastructure security and aligns with industry best practices for vulnerability management as outlined in NIST SP 800-40 and ISO 27001 security frameworks. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar use-after-free conditions in other system components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.