CVE-2024-24425 in Magma
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2024
Magma v1.8.0 and OAI EPC Federation v1.20 were discovered to contain an out-of-bounds read in the amf_as_establish_req function at /tasks/amf/amf_as.cpp. This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted NAS packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24425 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Magma v1.8.0 and OAI EPC Federation v1.20 software implementations. This issue manifests specifically within the amf_as_establish_req function located in the /tasks/amf/amf_as.cpp source file, where the software fails to properly validate input data structures received through the network. The affected systems operate within the telecommunications infrastructure, specifically within the Access Management Function (AMF) component of the 5G core network architecture, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for network operators and service providers who rely on these platforms for their mobile network operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking when processing NAS (Non-Access Stratum) packets, which are critical communication messages used in mobile networks for establishing and maintaining connections between user equipment and network functions. When an attacker crafts a malicious NAS packet and transmits it to the vulnerable system, the amf_as_establish_req function attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in undefined behavior that typically manifests as application crashes or system termination. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient input validation, and more broadly aligns with CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The vulnerability enables an attacker to execute a denial of service attack by simply sending a malformed packet that triggers the memory access violation, effectively disrupting legitimate network services and potentially causing widespread connectivity issues for mobile subscribers.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-24425 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall integrity and availability of mobile network infrastructure. Network operators utilizing affected Magma or OAI EPC Federation versions face significant risk of unauthorized service disruption, which could result in customer dissatisfaction, revenue loss, and potential regulatory scrutiny. The vulnerability's accessibility through standard network communication channels means that attackers do not require privileged access or specialized equipment to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in production environments. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1498.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, and could potentially be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting critical infrastructure. The DoS condition created by this vulnerability can persist until the affected system is restarted or the software is patched, creating extended periods of service unavailability that can affect thousands of concurrent users depending on the scale of the deployment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24425 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest software releases that contain the necessary code fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous NAS packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, utilizing intrusion detection systems and network traffic analysis tools to identify potential malicious activity. Additionally, implementing rate limiting and input validation controls at network boundaries can help reduce the impact of exploitation attempts while patches are deployed. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected components within their telecommunications infrastructure, as similar out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities may exist in other parts of the network stack. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched systems in controlled environments before deployment to production networks to ensure that the fix does not introduce new compatibility issues or performance degradation. Regular security updates and vulnerability management processes should be strengthened to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, including implementing more rigorous code review processes and automated security testing within the development lifecycle.