EUVD-2024-51636

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2024-51636

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

The vulnerability described in EUVD-2024-51636 is a 'Classic Buffer Overflow' in the swdownload binary of Newtec NTC2218, NTC2250, and NTC2299 modems. This issue arises from the use of an unrestricted sscanf function to read a string from an incoming network packet into a statically sized buffer, leading to a stack buffer overflow. The severity of this vulnerability is rated with a Base Score of 9.5 (CVSS:4.0), indicating a critical risk.

CVSS Vector Breakdown:

• AV:N (Network Vector): The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network.
• AC:L (Low Complexity): The attack requires low skill or resources to exploit.
• AT:P (Physical Attack Vector): The attack requires physical access to the device.
• PR:N (No Privileges Required): No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
• UI:N (No User Interaction): No user interaction is required for the attack to succeed.
• VC:H (High Confidentiality Impact): The vulnerability can lead to a high impact on confidentiality.
• VI:H (High Integrity Impact): The vulnerability can lead to a high impact on integrity.
• VA:H (High Availability Impact): The vulnerability can lead to a high impact on availability.
• SC:H (High Scope Change): The vulnerability can affect other components beyond the initial scope.
• SI:H (High Integrity Impact): The vulnerability can lead to a high impact on integrity.
• SA:H (High Availability Impact): The vulnerability can lead to a high impact on availability.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

• Remote Code Execution (RCE): An attacker can send a specially crafted network packet to the vulnerable swdownload binary, leading to arbitrary code execution.
• Local Code Execution: An attacker with local access can exploit the vulnerability to execute arbitrary code.

Exploitation Methods:

• Crafted Network Packets: An attacker can craft a network packet with a payload that exceeds the buffer size, causing a buffer overflow and allowing for code execution.
• Local Access: An attacker with physical access to the device can exploit the vulnerability by directly interacting with the swdownload binary.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

The vulnerability affects the following Newtec modems:

• NTC2218: Versions from 1.0.1.1 through 2.2.6.19
• NTC2250: Versions from 1.0.1.1 through 2.2.6.19
• NTC2299: Versions from 1.0.1.1 through 2.2.6.19

Both PowerPC and ARM versions of the modems are affected.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Immediate Mitigation:

• Network Segmentation: Isolate affected devices from the network to prevent remote exploitation.
• Access Control: Restrict physical access to the devices to prevent local exploitation.
• Monitoring: Implement monitoring to detect unusual network traffic or behavior indicative of an exploitation attempt.

Long-Term Mitigation:

• Patch Management: Apply vendor-provided patches or updates as soon as they are available.
• Firmware Updates: Regularly update the firmware of the affected devices to the latest secure versions.
• Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate similar issues.

5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape

The vulnerability poses a significant risk to European organizations and individuals using the affected Newtec modems. The potential for remote code execution and local code execution can lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and disruption of services. The high severity score and the widespread use of these modems in various sectors, including telecommunications and industrial control systems, underscore the need for immediate and comprehensive mitigation efforts.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerability Details:

• Function Affected: parse_INFO in the swdownload binary.
• Issue: Use of an unrestricted sscanf function leading to a stack buffer overflow.
• Impact: Allows for arbitrary code execution by an attacker.

Detection and Response:

• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS): Implement IDS rules to detect anomalous network traffic targeting the swdownload binary.
• Log Analysis: Analyze logs for unusual activity or errors related to the swdownload binary.
• Incident Response: Develop an incident response plan to address potential exploitation attempts, including containment, eradication, and recovery steps.

References:

• DOI: 10.1145/3643833.3656139
• Video: YouTube Link

Aliases:

• CVE-2024-13503

Assigner:

• NCSC.ch

ENISA IDs:

• Product: [ddeff7e2-8c5c-3413-bf15-8227aea2a612](NTC2218, NTC2250, NTC2299)
• Vendor: 62e55091-9e5f-3eff-8b8a-cbbe4b0ab526

By addressing this vulnerability promptly and comprehensively, organizations can mitigate the risk of exploitation and ensure the security and integrity of their systems.