CVE-2024-30161 in Qt
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2024
In Qt before 6.5.6 and 6.6.x before 6.6.3, the wasm component may access QNetworkReply header data via a dangling pointer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-30161 affects the Qt framework's WebAssembly component and represents a critical memory safety issue that could lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. This flaw exists in Qt versions prior to 6.5.6 and 6.6.x versions before 6.6.3, making it a widespread concern for developers who utilize Qt's WebAssembly capabilities for cross-platform application development. The issue stems from improper memory management within the QNetworkReply header data handling mechanism, creating a scenario where pointers become invalid while still being referenced.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper lifecycle management of memory resources within Qt's WebAssembly implementation. When QNetworkReply objects are processed in WebAssembly environments, the framework fails to properly invalidate or clean up pointers to header data structures before they are destroyed or reused. This creates a dangling pointer condition where code continues to reference memory locations that may have been reallocated or freed, leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability specifically affects the interaction between Qt's network layer and its WebAssembly runtime, where the asynchronous nature of network operations combined with memory management in the WebAssembly environment creates opportunities for memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, potentially enabling remote code execution in scenarios where malicious actors can control network responses or manipulate the timing of network operations. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting specific network responses that trigger the dangling pointer condition, potentially leading to memory corruption that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise. The WebAssembly environment adds additional complexity to the exploitation process as it requires understanding both the Qt framework internals and the WebAssembly memory model. This vulnerability affects applications that rely on Qt's networking capabilities when deployed in WebAssembly environments, particularly web applications, mobile applications, and desktop applications that utilize Qt's WebAssembly support.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30161 primarily focus on upgrading to the patched versions of Qt, specifically version 6.5.6 or later 6.6.x releases that contain the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating their Qt dependencies and conducting thorough testing of applications that utilize WebAssembly components to ensure compatibility with the patched versions. Additionally, developers should implement defensive programming practices such as validating all pointer references and ensuring proper cleanup of network reply objects before they are destroyed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which describes the use of freed memory condition, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that fall under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. Security teams should also consider implementing runtime monitoring and memory corruption detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts, while application developers should review their WebAssembly implementations for similar memory management patterns that could be susceptible to similar issues.