CVE-2024-27223 in Android
Summary
by MITRE • 03/11/2024
In EUTRAN_LCS_DecodeFacilityInformationElement of LPP_LcsManagement.c, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to remote information disclosure after authenticating the cell connection with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27223 resides within the EUTRAN_LCS_DecodeFacilityInformationElement function located in the LPP_LcsManagement.c source file of a telecommunications system. This flaw represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the system fails to validate input data boundaries before processing. The vulnerability specifically affects the Location Services implementation within the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network architecture, which is fundamental to 4G LTE cellular communications. The absence of proper bounds checking in this critical decoding routine creates a scenario where maliciously crafted data could trigger memory access violations that potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the Location Services management component. When the system processes facility information elements for location-based services, it fails to verify that the incoming data length conforms to expected parameters before attempting to read from memory locations. This missing bounds check creates a predictable memory access pattern that can be exploited through carefully constructed malicious payloads. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read operation where the decoder attempts to access memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing adjacent memory contents including sensitive operational data, cryptographic keys, or system configuration parameters.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to cellular network security as it enables remote information disclosure without requiring additional privileges beyond establishing a legitimate cell connection. The attack vector operates entirely within the LTE protocol stack's location services framework, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard network traffic without user interaction. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially extract confidential information from the network infrastructure, including location data of connected devices, network configuration details, or other sensitive operational parameters that could facilitate further attacks. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this data could be used to map network topology, identify vulnerable endpoints, or support more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader cellular ecosystem.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient input validation leading to out-of-bounds reads, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1590 for reconnaissance activities and T1071 for application layer protocols. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation patches, memory protection mechanisms, and network monitoring to detect anomalous location service traffic patterns. The fix requires implementing proper bounds checking within the decoding function to validate data lengths before memory access operations, ensuring that all facility information elements conform to predefined size constraints. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened around location services components to limit potential impact if exploitation occurs, while continuous monitoring of location service traffic can help detect exploitation attempts through abnormal data patterns or unexpected memory access behaviors.