CVE-2024-57259 in U-Boot
Summary
by MITRE • 02/19/2025
sqfs_search_dir in Das U-Boot before 2025.01-rc1 exhibits an off-by-one error and resultant heap memory corruption for squashfs directory listing because the path separator is not considered in a size calculation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-57259 resides within Das U-Boot, a widely used open-source bootloader that serves as the foundation for numerous embedded systems and IoT devices. This flaw manifests in the sqfs_search_dir function which handles squashfs filesystem directory listings, representing a critical security issue that could potentially compromise the integrity and availability of affected systems. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of Das U-Boot prior to 2025.01-rc1, indicating that organizations running older versions remain at significant risk of exploitation.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an off-by-one error in memory management calculations within the squashfs directory traversal logic. When processing directory paths, the function fails to properly account for path separators during size calculations, leading to incorrect memory allocation and subsequent heap corruption. This memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap corruption aspect aligns more closely with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor miscalculations in path handling can result in serious memory safety issues that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-57259 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it represents a potential pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise within embedded environments. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the bootloader context, which would provide them with elevated privileges and control over the device's boot process. This presents a particularly concerning risk for IoT devices, industrial control systems, and network infrastructure equipment that rely on Das U-Boot for their initial system boot and firmware loading processes. The vulnerability could enable attackers to bypass security measures, install malicious firmware, or create persistent backdoors within affected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-57259 primarily focus on immediate version updates to Das U-Boot 2025.01-rc1 or later releases, which contain the necessary patches to address the memory calculation error. Organizations should prioritize updating their embedded systems and IoT devices to prevent exploitation, particularly those in critical infrastructure sectors. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as heap memory sanitizers and address space layout randomization could provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual boot behavior or filesystem access patterns may help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of thorough code review and testing for memory safety issues, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints and complex filesystem operations can create unexpected edge cases that may not be immediately apparent during development.