CVE-2024-54983 in BC95-CNV
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2024
An issue in Quectel BC95-CNV V100R001C00SPC051 allows attackers to bypass authentication via a crafted NAS message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-54983 affects the Quectel BC95-CNV module version V100R001C00SPC051, which is a cellular IoT device commonly used in industrial and commercial applications for secure communication. This device implements authentication mechanisms to protect network access and data transmission, but a flaw in the Network Access Server (NAS) message processing logic creates a potential security bypass opportunity for attackers. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the device handles authentication requests, allowing malicious actors to manipulate NAS messages to gain unauthorized access to network resources.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient validation of NAS message parameters during the authentication process, creating a path for attackers to craft specially formatted messages that circumvent the normal authentication sequence. This weakness stems from inadequate input sanitization and validation routines within the device's authentication handler, which fails to properly verify message integrity and authenticity before granting network access. The vulnerability operates at the protocol level where authentication tokens and session identifiers are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can allow unauthorized network access without proper credentials. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and represents a classic case of insufficient validation of security-critical data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, eavesdrop on communications, or potentially escalate privileges within the network infrastructure. Devices utilizing this module may be deployed in critical infrastructure environments where unauthorized access could lead to significant operational disruptions, data breaches, or compromise of industrial control systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects IoT devices that are often deployed in remote locations with limited monitoring capabilities, making detection and remediation more challenging. Network administrators may not immediately detect unauthorized access attempts, as the bypassed authentication appears to be legitimate network activity.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Quectel to address the specific NAS message validation issue, along with network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous authentication patterns. Organizations should implement additional authentication layers such as mutual TLS authentication or additional challenge-response mechanisms to reduce the impact of potential exploitation. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive network audits to identify all devices running affected firmware versions and establish monitoring procedures for unusual authentication behaviors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering, but the technical nature of the bypass suggests it may also involve T1078 for valid accounts usage. Network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for crafted NAS message patterns and establish incident response procedures for potential authentication bypass events.