CVE-2024-24449 in CN5G AMF
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2024
An uninitialized pointer dereference in the NasPdu::NasPdu component of OpenAirInterface CN5G AMF up to v2.0.0 allows attackers to cause a Denial of Service (DoS) via a crafted InitialUEMessage message sent to the AMF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-24449 represents a critical uninitialized pointer dereference flaw within the OpenAirInterface CN5G AMF component, specifically affecting versions up to v2.0.0. This issue resides within the NasPdu::NasPdu class implementation and manifests when processing crafted InitialUEMessage packets. The flaw stems from improper memory management where a pointer variable is accessed without prior initialization, creating a predictable attack surface for malicious actors seeking to disrupt service availability. The affected system operates within the 5G Core Network infrastructure, specifically targeting the Access and Mobility Management Function which serves as a crucial control plane element responsible for managing UE registration and mobility procedures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious InitialUEMessage packet designed to trigger the uninitialized pointer access during the AMF's processing routine. When the AMF receives this malformed message, the NasPdu::NasPdu component attempts to dereference a pointer that has not been properly initialized, leading to a segmentation fault or similar memory access violation. This memory corruption causes the AMF process to terminate unexpectedly, resulting in immediate service disruption for legitimate users attempting to register or maintain connectivity within the 5G network. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, and represents a classic example of improper initialization leading to system instability. The attack vector requires only network-level access to send the malicious message to the target AMF, making it particularly dangerous in operational environments where such control plane components are exposed to untrusted network traffic.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-24449 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the overall integrity of 5G network operations. When the AMF experiences a denial of service condition, all UE registration procedures fail, preventing new users from connecting to the network and causing existing connections to be terminated. This affects the core functionality of the 5G Core Network as the AMF serves as the primary control plane entity for mobility management, authentication, and registration services. The vulnerability directly impacts the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes network denial of service attacks targeting infrastructure components. In practical deployment scenarios, this vulnerability could be exploited by adversaries to create widespread disruption in 5G services, potentially affecting critical infrastructure communications, industrial IoT deployments, and emergency services that rely on 5G connectivity. The DoS condition affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be particularly damaging in mission-critical environments where network reliability is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24449 should prioritize immediate patch deployment to versions of OpenAirInterface CN5G AMF that have addressed this uninitialized pointer dereference issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of AMF components to untrusted traffic sources, utilizing firewall rules and network access control lists to restrict communication to only legitimate network elements. The implementation of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying and blocking malformed InitialUEMessage packets represents an additional defensive layer that can help detect exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include process health checks for AMF services with automated alerting when service disruptions occur, enabling rapid incident response. Network administrators should also consider implementing rate limiting and message validation controls at the network perimeter to prevent flood attacks that could amplify the impact of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the memory management fix properly initializes all pointer variables within the NasPdu::NasPdu component. Regular security assessments of 5G Core Network components should be conducted to identify similar memory management flaws, with particular attention to components handling user plane and control plane messages. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and robust error handling mechanisms in all network control plane components helps prevent similar uninitialized pointer dereference conditions from occurring in future deployments.