CVE-2024-33014 in Snapdragon Auto
Summary
by MITRE • 08/05/2024
Transient DOS while parsing ESP IE from beacon/probe response frame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2024
This vulnerability exists within wireless network protocols where devices process esp information elements from beacon and probe response frames. The issue manifests as a transient denial of service condition that occurs during the parsing phase of these wireless management frames. When a device receives a malformed or specially crafted esp ie within a beacon or probe response frame, the parsing routine fails to properly handle the data structure, leading to a temporary system freeze or crash. This vulnerability specifically targets the wireless firmware or driver components responsible for managing 802.11 frame processing and interpretation. The transient nature of the denial of service means that while the device becomes unresponsive during the parsing operation, it typically recovers automatically once the processing error is encountered. This behavior aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a classic buffer over-read or parsing error that can be exploited through malicious wireless frames.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the wireless device's management frame parser encountering unexpected data within the esp information element field. During normal operation, devices expect specific formatting and length parameters within these frames, but when malformed data is received, the parsing logic fails to properly validate the input before processing. The esp ie field typically contains extended service parameters that define wireless network characteristics, but when these fields contain unexpected values or malformed structures, the device's parsing routine becomes unstable. This parsing failure can occur in both access point and client device implementations, affecting any wireless device that processes beacon or probe response frames from neighboring networks. The vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1592 which involves reconnaissance through wireless network analysis and can be exploited by attackers positioned within wireless range of vulnerable devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-33014 extends beyond simple network disruption as it can affect network availability and device reliability. While the denial of service is transient, repeated exploitation can lead to sustained network instability and potential service degradation for legitimate users. Wireless access points may temporarily become unavailable to clients, and mobile devices may experience intermittent connectivity issues during the parsing failure. Network administrators may observe increased device restarts or crashes in vulnerable systems, particularly in environments with high wireless traffic or multiple access points. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where wireless infrastructure supports critical business operations, as it can cause unexpected service interruptions that may not be immediately apparent. The issue can be exploited by remote attackers who simply need to broadcast malicious frames within range of vulnerable devices, making it a low-effort but potentially impactful attack vector.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on firmware and driver updates from device manufacturers, as the root cause lies within the wireless protocol implementation. Network administrators should monitor for unusual device behavior or frequent restarts that could indicate exploitation attempts. Implementing wireless intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed beacon or probe response frames may help detect potential attacks. Additionally, configuring devices to limit the processing of frames from unknown or untrusted sources can reduce exposure risk. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in wireless protocol implementations and demonstrates the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases in management frame parsing. Organizations should prioritize patch management for wireless infrastructure components and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Regular security assessments of wireless networks should include testing for similar parsing vulnerabilities in other information element fields to ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.