CVE-2024-51471 in MQ Appliance
Summary
by MITRE • 12/19/2024
IBM MQ Appliance 9.3 LTS, 9.3 CD, and 9.4 LTS web console could allow an authenticated user to cause a denial-of-service when trace is enabled due to information being written into memory outside of the intended buffer size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
IBM MQ Appliance versions 9.3 LTS, 9.3 CD, and 9.4 LTS contain a buffer overflow vulnerability in their web console implementation that affects authenticated users with trace functionality enabled. This vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking when writing trace information into memory buffers, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests specifically when trace operations are active, making it a targeted issue for users who have enabled diagnostic tracing for operational monitoring purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The affected web console component likely employs fixed-size buffers to store trace data while processing user requests, but fails to validate the length of incoming trace information before writing to these buffers. This creates a scenario where malicious input or crafted trace data can cause memory corruption that potentially leads to application instability and system crashes.
Operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a denial-of-service condition that can be exploited by authenticated users with access to the web console interface. The attack vector requires user authentication, which limits the scope to internal threats or compromised accounts, but the severity remains significant given that IBM MQ appliances typically operate in critical infrastructure environments where availability is paramount. System administrators may experience unexpected service interruptions during trace operations, potentially masking legitimate operational issues while providing an avenue for persistent disruption.
The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue that has been addressed through proper buffer management practices and input validation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling trace functionality when not actively required, restricting web console access to authorized personnel only, and monitoring for unusual trace activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, applying the latest IBM MQ appliance patches and updates will resolve the underlying buffer overflow condition by implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms and ensuring that trace data is properly validated before memory allocation occurs. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web application components, particularly those handling diagnostic and logging functionality that may be enabled in production environments.