CVE-2024-29012 in SonicOS
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2024
Stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the SonicOS HTTP server allows an authenticated remote attacker to cause Denial of Service (DoS) via sscanf function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
The SonicOS HTTP server vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-29012 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw that manifests through the sscanf function implementation. This vulnerability exists within the SonicOS operating system's web server component, which is widely deployed in network security appliances manufactured by SonicWall. The flaw specifically arises when the HTTP server processes certain input parameters, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by authenticated remote attackers to disrupt service availability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the sscanf function call sequence. When legitimate users authenticate and submit crafted HTTP requests containing maliciously formatted input data, the function fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data against the allocated stack buffer space. This insufficient boundary checking creates a condition where user-supplied data can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential system instability. The vulnerability is classified as stack-based due to the specific memory corruption pattern that occurs within the program's stack frame during function execution, making it susceptible to both denial of service and potential code execution scenarios.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to induce denial of service conditions that can severely compromise network security infrastructure. The affected SonicOS appliances, which serve as firewalls and network security gateways, could experience complete service disruption when exploited, potentially leaving networks vulnerable to other attacks while administrators investigate the incident. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the threat level given that many organizations maintain credential hygiene practices that may be insufficient to prevent such attacks. The vulnerability affects multiple SonicOS versions and can be exploited across various SonicWall appliance models, amplifying the potential impact across enterprise networks.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest firmware updates from SonicWall that address this specific buffer overflow condition. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential attack surface, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual authentication patterns or malformed HTTP requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions and is commonly referenced in security frameworks such as the MITRE ATT&CK matrix under the technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns consistent with this specific exploitation vector and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts.