CVE-2024-3052 in Z-IP Gateway SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 04/27/2024
Malformed S2 Nonce Get command classes can be sent to crash the gateway. A hard reset is required to recover the gateway.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3052 represents a critical denial-of-service condition affecting Z-Wave gateway devices that process S2 security command classes. This flaw manifests when malformed S2 Nonce Get command classes are transmitted to the affected gateway, causing the device to become unresponsive and requiring a hard reset for recovery. The vulnerability specifically impacts devices implementing the Z-Wave protocol stack where S2 security encryption is utilized for command transmission between nodes and gateways.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation within the gateway's command processing logic for S2 security command classes. When the gateway receives a malformed S2 Nonce Get command, the device fails to properly validate the command structure or parameters before attempting to process it. This lack of proper validation allows an attacker to craft malicious command sequences that exploit memory handling routines or state management functions within the gateway firmware. The vulnerability falls under CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-20, Improper Input Validation, as the system fails to properly validate incoming command data before processing. The S2 security protocol in Z-Wave is designed to provide authenticated encryption for command transmission, but this particular flaw demonstrates how malformed command structures can bypass normal processing flows and cause system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-3052 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire Z-Wave network infrastructure. When a gateway crashes due to this vulnerability, it creates a complete network partition that affects all connected Z-Wave devices that rely on that gateway for communication with the central control system. This disruption can occur during critical operations such as security system activations, smart home automation sequences, or industrial monitoring processes where continuous connectivity is essential. The requirement for a hard reset to recover the device introduces additional operational complexity, as this process typically requires physical access to the gateway and can result in temporary network outages that may last from several minutes to hours depending on the recovery procedures implemented.
Network attackers can exploit this vulnerability through various attack vectors that leverage the Z-Wave protocol's broadcast nature and the gateway's exposure to network traffic. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely without requiring authentication or physical access to the device, as the S2 command classes are designed to be transmitted over the network. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, Network Denial of Service, where an attacker can disrupt network services by sending malformed packets. The vulnerability also relates to T1595.001, Network Scanning, as attackers may first enumerate network devices to identify vulnerable gateways before attempting exploitation. Organizations using Z-Wave networks should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where security systems rely on continuous network connectivity and where physical access to network infrastructure is limited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3052 should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. Immediate actions include implementing network segmentation to isolate Z-Wave gateways from critical network segments, deploying network monitoring tools to detect malformed S2 command traffic, and establishing robust backup procedures for gateway recovery. Organizations should also consider firmware updates from manufacturers as soon as patches become available, though the vulnerability's nature suggests that the fix may require changes to the gateway's command parsing logic. The implementation of intrusion detection systems specifically designed to monitor Z-Wave traffic patterns can help identify exploitation attempts before they cause complete gateway failures. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing rate limiting or command filtering mechanisms at network boundaries to prevent excessive malformed command processing. This vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing proper network hygiene practices that include regular vulnerability assessments and security audits of connected IoT devices.