CVE-2025-56362 in Matter
Summary
by MITRE • 07/15/2026
A reachable assertion vulnerability exists in the Matter SDK (connectedhomeip) before 1.4.2, specifically within the Level Control cluster's periodic server tick logic. When a MoveToLevel command is sent and immediately followed by a write of OperationMode=2 (in the Pump Configuration and Control cluster), the server tick function violates the assertion `currentLevel < maxLevel`, resulting in a crash. This can be exploited remotely without authentication to cause denial of service. Affected versions include 1.3 and 1.4 (commit ab3d5ae).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2026
The vulnerability under discussion represents a critical reachable assertion failure within the Matter SDK implementation known as connectedhomeip, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.4.2. This issue resides in the Level Control cluster's periodic server tick logic where improper handling of command sequences leads to system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The flaw manifests when a MoveToLevel command is executed followed immediately by a write operation targeting OperationMode=2 within the Pump Configuration and Control cluster, creating an exploitable condition that compromises system integrity.
The technical root cause stems from insufficient input validation and state management within the server tick function responsible for processing periodic level control operations. The assertion `currentLevel < maxLevel` fails when the system encounters a scenario where these values become equal or when the timing of command execution creates an inconsistent state between the Level Control cluster and the Pump Configuration and Control cluster. This assertion violation occurs because the code assumes a strict ordering and validation of operations that does not account for concurrent or rapid successive commands, leading directly to program termination through assertion failure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes as it enables remote unauthenticated denial of service attacks against Matter-enabled devices. Attackers can exploit this condition by sending specifically crafted command sequences that trigger the assertion failure, effectively rendering affected devices unavailable to legitimate users and potentially compromising the broader smart home ecosystem. The vulnerability affects a wide range of IoT devices implementing the Matter protocol, particularly those utilizing pump control functionality where the Level Control cluster interacts with the Pump Configuration and Control cluster.
From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-617, which addresses reachable assertions that can be triggered through external input, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The flaw represents a classic race condition or state management error where the system fails to properly validate its internal state before executing critical operations. Organizations implementing Matter-based solutions should prioritize immediate patching to versions 1.4.2 and later, as the fix addresses the core logic issue in the server tick function by introducing proper bounds checking and state synchronization mechanisms between related clusters.
Mitigation strategies include not only applying the official SDK patches but also implementing network-level monitoring to detect anomalous command sequences that might trigger this condition. Device manufacturers should consider implementing additional input validation layers within their custom implementations of the Matter SDK, particularly around cluster interaction boundaries where cross-cluster dependencies exist. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough testing for concurrent command execution scenarios and proper state management in IoT protocol implementations, especially when dealing with interconnected clusters that share operational parameters.
The broader implications extend to the security posture of smart home ecosystems, where a single vulnerable device can potentially compromise entire networks due to the interconnected nature of Matter protocol devices. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly isolated cluster implementations can create cascading failures when proper state validation and synchronization mechanisms are missing from the underlying SDK implementation. Security teams should conduct comprehensive assessments of their Matter-enabled device fleets to identify potential exposure and implement appropriate monitoring solutions to detect exploitation attempts targeting this specific assertion failure condition.