CVE-2024-23973 in Gecko OS
Summary
by MITRE • 01/31/2025
This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Silicon Labs Gecko OS. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the handling of HTTP GET requests. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-23973 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within Silicon Labs Gecko OS operating systems. This security weakness resides in the HTTP GET request processing mechanism, where the system fails to adequately validate the length of incoming user data before transferring it into a stack-based buffer. The absence of proper input validation creates a predictable exploitation vector that allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical execution data. The flaw specifically manifests when the operating system handles HTTP requests containing excessively long parameter values, leading to unauthorized code execution capabilities.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The security implications extend beyond simple data corruption, as the flaw enables arbitrary code execution without requiring authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for network-adjacent attackers. The attack surface encompasses any device running the affected Gecko OS version that processes HTTP GET requests, including embedded systems, IoT devices, and network appliances that utilize Silicon Labs networking capabilities. The lack of authentication requirements significantly reduces the attack barrier, as adversaries can exploit this weakness from any network position that can reach the vulnerable device.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-23973 extends across multiple cybersecurity domains and attack vectors. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple techniques including T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1210 for exploitation of remote services. The vulnerability creates persistent access points for attackers to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads within the compromised network environment. Network administrators face significant challenges in detecting such attacks since they can occur without authentication requirements and may appear as legitimate HTTP traffic. The affected devices could become part of botnets, serve as pivoting points for internal network reconnaissance, or provide attackers with persistent access to sensitive corporate or residential networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23973 require immediate attention from system administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining Silicon Labs Gecko OS environments. The primary recommendation involves applying official firmware updates from Silicon Labs as soon as patches become available, which should address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation mechanisms. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted network segments. Additional protective measures include implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious HTTP GET request patterns, configuring firewalls to restrict unnecessary HTTP service exposure, and conducting thorough network audits to identify all affected devices. Security teams should also establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unexpected code execution patterns or unauthorized network connections from compromised devices.