CVE-2024-6350 in Simplicity SDK
Summary
by MITRE • 01/08/2025
A malformed 802.15.4 packet causes a buffer overflow to occur leading to an assert and a denial of service. A watchdog reset clears the error condition automatically.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6350 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within wireless communication protocols that affects devices implementing the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. This flaw specifically manifests when processing malformed 802.15.4 packets, which are commonly used in low-power wireless personal area networks such as those found in Internet of Things deployments and industrial automation systems. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle malformed packet structures, leading to memory corruption during packet processing. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which occurs when data exceeds the allocated buffer space and overwrites adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in embedded systems and IoT devices where memory constraints and limited resources make such errors more impactful.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the processing of 802.15.4 frames that contain malformed headers or payload structures that exceed expected buffer boundaries. When a device receives such a packet, the protocol parser attempts to store the malformed data into a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking, resulting in memory corruption that triggers an assertion failure. The assertion mechanism, designed to detect programming errors, terminates the normal execution flow and causes the system to enter an error state. This behavior is consistent with CWE-682, which describes errors in computing or data manipulation that result in incorrect program behavior. The watchdog timer functionality, while providing automatic recovery through reset mechanisms, creates a denial of service condition that can be exploited by attackers to repeatedly disrupt system operations. The watchdog reset clears the memory state and reinitializes the system, but this process can be repeated indefinitely, creating sustained disruption to network services.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6350 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire network infrastructures that rely on 802.15.4 based communication. In industrial control systems, smart grid deployments, or wireless sensor networks, this vulnerability could lead to cascading failures where multiple devices simultaneously reset, disrupting critical operations. The attack surface includes any device that processes 802.15.4 packets, particularly those in the automotive, healthcare, and manufacturing sectors where wireless connectivity is essential. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through denial of service attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, representing application layer protocol manipulation, as attackers can craft malicious packets to trigger the buffer overflow condition. The automatic recovery mechanism through watchdog resets may mask the attack, making detection more difficult and allowing sustained disruption without immediate operational awareness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6350 should focus on implementing robust input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the 802.15.4 protocol stack. Network administrators should deploy firmware updates that address the buffer overflow condition and implement monitoring systems to detect anomalous packet patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The solution architecture should include proper memory management practices such as using safe string handling functions and implementing proper buffer size validation before data processing. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed 802.15.4 traffic patterns. Additionally, regular security assessments of wireless network components and implementation of secure coding practices should be prioritized to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future deployments. The mitigation approach should align with industry standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management and NIST SP 800-34 for security controls in information systems.