CVE-2024-6285 in rcar_gen3
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2024
Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound) vulnerability in Renesas arm-trusted-firmware. An integer underflow in image range check calculations could lead to bypassing address restrictions and loading of images to unallowed addresses.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6285 represents a critical integer underflow flaw within the arm-trusted-firmware implementation developed by Renesas. This issue manifests specifically in the image range check calculations that are fundamental to the secure boot process of embedded systems. The flaw occurs when arithmetic operations involving unsigned integer types fail to properly validate boundary conditions, resulting in wraparound behavior that can be exploited by malicious actors. The affected component operates within the trusted execution environment where firmware validation and image loading procedures are critical for maintaining system integrity and preventing unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic within the firmware's image validation logic. When the firmware performs calculations to determine valid memory address ranges for image loading, an integer underflow condition can occur if the subtraction operation results in a value that wraps around to a maximum positive integer value. This wraparound behavior effectively neutralizes the intended address restriction checks, allowing malicious payloads to be loaded at memory locations that should have been prohibited. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-191 Integer Underflow (Wrap or Wraparound) which specifically addresses scenarios where signed or unsigned integer underflows occur during arithmetic operations, leading to unexpected program behavior and potential security breaches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise through unauthorized code execution. Attackers can leverage this flaw to bypass memory protection mechanisms that are designed to prevent loading of firmware images to restricted memory regions. This capability enables malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary code at privileged execution levels, potentially leading to full system takeover. The vulnerability affects the secure boot chain and undermines the fundamental security assumptions of the Trusted Execution Environment, making it particularly dangerous for embedded systems where firmware integrity is paramount. The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers the exploitation of system vulnerabilities, and T1547.001, which addresses the execution of malicious code through legitimate system processes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6285 require immediate firmware updates from Renesas to address the integer underflow condition in the image range check calculations. System administrators should implement comprehensive firmware version monitoring to ensure all deployed devices are running patched versions that properly validate integer arithmetic operations. Additional protective measures include implementing runtime integrity checks that monitor memory access patterns and validate address ranges during image loading operations. The security community should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous behavior patterns associated with attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations using affected Renesas hardware should conduct thorough risk assessments to determine which systems are potentially vulnerable and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of the affected devices within their operational environments.