CVE-2024-23934 in XAV-AX5500
Summary
by MITRE • 09/23/2024
Sony XAV-AX5500 WMV/ASF Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Sony XAV-AX5500 devices. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of WMV/ASF files. A crafted Extended Content Description Object in a WMV media file can trigger an overflow of a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the device.
. Was ZDI-CAN-22994.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2025
The CVE-2024-23934 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Sony XAV-AX5500 automotive infotainment systems that enables remote code execution through malicious WMV/ASF media files. This vulnerability resides in the media file parsing component of the device's software stack, specifically within the handling of Extended Content Description Objects in Windows Media Video and Advanced Systems Format files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation when processing multimedia metadata, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory regions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution issue means that malicious actors can exploit this weakness without physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for automotive cybersecurity. The attack vector requires user interaction, typically through visiting a malicious webpage or opening a compromised media file, but once triggered, the exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. This vulnerability directly impacts the automotive infotainment ecosystem, where devices are increasingly connected to external networks and media sources, creating multiple potential entry points for attackers.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of WMV/ASF file structures, specifically when processing Extended Content Description Objects that contain metadata about the media content. The flaw manifests as a stack-based buffer overflow where a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack receives more data than it can accommodate, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The overflow can be triggered by crafting a malicious WMV file with oversized Extended Content Description Objects, where the attacker carefully controls the data structure to overwrite the return address or other critical stack variables. The device's processing of these media files occurs within the context of the infotainment system's operating environment, meaning successful exploitation can provide attackers with full control over the device's functionality. The vulnerability's exploitation mechanism aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain system access. The stack-based nature of this overflow makes it particularly dangerous as it can be used to redirect program execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the device's memory space.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23934 extends beyond simple remote code execution, affecting the overall security posture of connected automotive systems and potentially compromising vehicle safety systems. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can enable attackers to gain complete control over the XAV-AX5500 device, potentially allowing them to access other connected vehicle systems through the infotainment network. The vulnerability's requirement for user interaction reduces the attack surface compared to fully autonomous exploits but still creates significant risk since infotainment systems are often connected to vehicle networks and may have access to critical vehicle functions. Automotive manufacturers and cybersecurity researchers have identified this as a serious concern for vehicle security, particularly as modern vehicles integrate more sophisticated entertainment and connectivity features. The vulnerability demonstrates the challenges in securing automotive infotainment systems where legacy software components are often not designed with modern security practices in mind. The device's handling of multimedia content processing represents a common attack surface in embedded systems where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious data from causing memory corruption. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in automotive environments where system integrity is paramount for safety and security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23934 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar vulnerabilities in automotive systems. Sony should provide firmware updates to address the buffer overflow in the affected XAV-AX5500 devices, implementing proper bounds checking and input validation for media file parsing operations. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate infotainment systems from critical vehicle control networks, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious media file access patterns and unusual network activity related to infotainment systems. The vulnerability highlights the need for automotive cybersecurity frameworks that consider both software security practices and hardware security features, particularly in systems that process external media content. Implementing robust input validation, address space layout randomization, and stack canaries can provide additional protection against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities. Industry best practices suggest that automotive manufacturers should adopt security-by-design principles for all embedded systems, including infotainment units, to prevent vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-23934 from occurring in the first place. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing of automotive systems to identify and remediate potential attack vectors before they can be exploited by malicious actors.