CVE-2024-25388 in RT-Thread
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
drivers/wlan/wlan_mgmt,c in RT-Thread through 5.0.2 has an integer signedness error and resultant buffer overflow.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-25388 resides within the wireless management driver component of RT-Thread operating system versions 5.0.2 and earlier. This issue affects the wlan_mgmt.c file which handles wireless network management operations and represents a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during wireless frame processing, creating a scenario where signed and unsigned integer operations interact in unexpected ways.
The technical root cause manifests as an integer signedness error that occurs when processing wireless management frames within the RT-Thread wireless subsystem. During the parsing of wireless frames, the system fails to properly validate or convert integer values between signed and unsigned representations, leading to a condition where a negative signed integer value is interpreted as a positive unsigned value. This misinterpretation results in a buffer overflow when the system attempts to allocate memory or copy data based on the incorrectly calculated size parameter, allowing attackers to write beyond the bounds of allocated memory buffers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates multiple attack vectors that could be exploited by remote adversaries. An attacker positioned within wireless network range could craft malicious wireless management frames that trigger the buffer overflow condition, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the wireless driver process. This could result in complete system compromise, persistent backdoor installation, or denial of service conditions that disrupt wireless connectivity for legitimate users. The vulnerability affects all systems running RT-Thread versions up to 5.0.2, making it particularly concerning for embedded devices and IoT systems that rely on this operating system.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that occur when a computation produces a result that exceeds the maximum value that can be represented by the data type. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter execution through wireless network protocols. The integer signedness error creates a condition that could be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, particularly in environments where wireless management services are enabled and accessible to untrusted network participants.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patch deployment for RT-Thread versions 5.0.2 and earlier, with organizations implementing network segmentation to isolate wireless management services from critical infrastructure. System administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary wireless management features and implementing wireless intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious management frame traffic. Additionally, developers should perform thorough code reviews focusing on integer handling, particularly in areas where user-supplied data is processed, and implement proper bounds checking mechanisms to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems where resource constraints may lead to insufficient input validation and memory management safeguards.