CVE-2024-31879 in IBM
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2024
IBM i 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4 could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code leading to a denial of service of network ports on the system, caused by the deserialization of untrusted data. IBM X-Force ID: 287539.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-31879 affects IBM i operating systems version 7.2, 7.3, and 7.4, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution and potential denial of service conditions. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of deserialized data within the system's network services, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the platform remotely. The flaw specifically impacts network port availability and system functionality, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments that rely on continuous system availability. The vulnerability has been assigned an IBM X-Force ID of 287539, indicating its recognition within the broader security community and the potential for coordinated response efforts.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the deserialization process where untrusted data is improperly validated and processed within the IBM i system. When the system receives network data that contains serialized objects, it fails to adequately verify the integrity and authenticity of this data before attempting to deserialize it. This weakness allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when processed, can execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability falls under the category of deserialization flaws, which are commonly classified as CWE-502 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, representing a well-documented security pattern that has been exploited in numerous high-profile incidents. The improper data validation creates a direct pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise, as the deserialized objects can contain malicious instructions that bypass normal execution controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-31879 extends beyond simple remote code execution to include significant denial of service conditions that can render network ports unavailable and disrupt critical business operations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can potentially cause system crashes, port exhaustion, and service interruptions that affect enterprise applications and infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local credentials to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for systems connected to untrusted networks. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and integrity of IBM i systems, which are commonly used in mission-critical applications such as financial services, healthcare systems, and manufacturing environments where system uptime is essential. The attack surface is broad as it affects multiple versions of the IBM i platform, increasing the potential impact across various enterprise deployments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-31879 should prioritize immediate patch application from IBM, as the vendor has likely released security updates addressing the deserialization vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious deserialization patterns. The implementation of strict input validation and sanitization measures can help prevent malicious data from reaching the deserialization components, while regular security assessments should verify that no unauthorized modifications have occurred. Additionally, system administrators should consider disabling unnecessary network services and implementing least-privilege access controls to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 which covers exploitation of remote services, and organizations should review their defensive strategies against such attack patterns to ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.