CVE-2024-5948 in DSE855
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2024
Deep Sea Electronics DSE855 Multipart Boundary Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows network-adjacent attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Deep Sea Electronics DSE855 devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the handling of multipart boundaries. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a fixed-length stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the device. Was ZDI-CAN-23170.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2024
The CVE-2024-5948 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in Deep Sea Electronics DSE855 devices that exposes remote code execution capabilities to network-adjacent attackers. This vulnerability resides within the device's handling of multipart boundaries, a common mechanism used in web applications and network protocols for encoding multi-part data streams. The flaw specifically manifests when the device processes user-supplied boundary strings without adequate length validation before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that no authentication is required for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network access is not strictly controlled.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption. When the DSE855 device receives multipart data containing boundary specifications, the system fails to verify that the boundary string length remains within predetermined limits before performing a copy operation into a stack-based buffer. This allows an attacker to overflow the buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses or other critical control data. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader weakness class of buffer overflows that occur when data is written beyond the bounds of a stack-allocated buffer. The attack vector is classified as network-adjacent, meaning that exploitation can occur from any device on the same network segment as the target, without requiring prior authentication or credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-5948 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. Once successfully exploited, attackers can gain full control over the affected DSE855 device, potentially using it as a pivot point to attack other systems on the same network segment. The vulnerability's accessibility without authentication creates a significant risk for industrial control systems and network infrastructure where physical security may be insufficient to prevent unauthorized network access. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where these devices are deployed for critical infrastructure monitoring or control, as the compromise of a single device can lead to broader operational disruptions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services, highlighting its potential for establishing persistent access and enabling further reconnaissance activities within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-5948 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Deep Sea Electronics, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow condition. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential attack vectors, particularly by restricting network access to devices in critical areas. Monitoring network traffic for unusual multipart boundary patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire network infrastructure to identify other potentially affected devices that may share similar software components or firmware versions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates immediate action, as the risk of exploitation increases with the availability of public proof-of-concept code and the potential for automated exploitation tools to be developed for this specific weakness.