CVE-2024-25679 in PQUIC
Summary
by MITRE • 02/09/2024
In PQUIC before 5bde5bb, retention of unused initial encryption keys allows attackers to disrupt a connection with a PSK configuration by sending a CONNECTION_CLOSE frame that is encrypted via the initial key computed. Network traffic sniffing is needed as part of exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-25679 affects the PQUIC library version prior to commit 5bde5bb, presenting a significant security flaw in the handling of encryption keys during QUIC protocol connections. This issue stems from the improper retention of unused initial encryption keys, which creates a persistent security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems utilizing PSK (Pre-Shared Key) configurations, where the initial encryption keys remain accessible even after they should have been discarded, creating an attack surface that adversaries can leverage for connection disruption.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper key management practices within the PQUIC implementation, where encryption keys used during the initial connection phase are not properly destroyed or invalidated after their intended use. This retention allows attackers to intercept and analyze network traffic to identify the initial key material, subsequently enabling them to craft malicious CONNECTION_CLOSE frames that are encrypted using these retained keys. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level, specifically targeting the QUIC protocol's key derivation and encryption mechanisms, which are fundamental to maintaining secure communication channels. The attack requires network traffic sniffing capabilities to capture the necessary key material, making it a passive reconnaissance-based exploit that can be executed by adversaries with network monitoring capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it enables attackers to deliberately disrupt QUIC connections through the injection of malicious CONNECTION_CLOSE frames that appear legitimate to the receiving endpoint. This disruption can lead to service availability issues, connection termination, and potential denial of service conditions that affect the reliability of QUIC-based applications. The vulnerability affects all systems using PQUIC with PSK configurations, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where QUIC is deployed for secure communication. The attack vector requires minimal privileges for execution once the network traffic has been captured, making it a low-effort but high-impact exploit that can be automated and scaled across multiple targets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-25679 focus on upgrading to the patched version of PQUIC that implements proper key destruction mechanisms, ensuring that initial encryption keys are immediately invalidated after their use in the connection establishment process. Network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous CONNECTION_CLOSE frame patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that network traffic capture capabilities are properly secured to prevent unauthorized key material acquisition. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-259 weakness related to weak password management and improper key handling, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1566 for credential access and T1499 for network disruption. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and traffic analysis to reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular updates to ensure protection against similar key management vulnerabilities in QUIC implementations.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper key lifecycle management in cryptographic protocols, where the retention of unused keys can create persistent security weaknesses that compromise connection integrity and availability. This issue highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of cryptographic implementations, particularly focusing on key management practices and the proper handling of encryption materials throughout the protocol lifecycle. The exploitation requirements and impact characteristics align with ATT&CK tactics covering defense evasion and impact, making this vulnerability a significant concern for organizations relying on QUIC-based secure communications and requiring immediate remediation to prevent potential disruption of critical services.