CVE-2024-43561: Windows Mobile Broadband Driver Denial-of-service Vulnerability Affecting Multiple Windows Versions - Detailed Analysis, Remediation, and Mitigation

A major vulnerability has just surfaced, and it can impact many Windows devices. Identified as CVE-2024-43561, this vulnerability is reported to be a critical Denial-of-service (DoS) issue rooted in the Windows Mobile Broadband Driver.

We will walk you through everything you need to know about CVE-2024-43561, as well as highlight the areas where potential problems can occur. In addition, we'll provide a deep analysis of the exploit, share relevant code snippets, and discuss remediation and mitigation options. This guide will be invaluable to anyone looking to secure their Windows-based devices promptly and effectively.

The Vulnerability

Remote attackers can exploit CVE-2024-43561 to trigger a Windows Mobile Broadband Driver Denial-of-service vulnerability. This weakness lies in the Mobile Broadband Interface Model (MBIM) implementation and several Windows operating systems, including Windows 10 and Windows Server (2016 and onwards).

The vulnerability allows DoS attacks on numerous Windows OS devices by crashing kernel-mode drivers by sending a malicious USB packet, resulting in the driver's mismanagement of allocated memory. This disruption may manifest as a system crash or loss of internet connectivity.

To better understand the vulnerability, here's an example of the code snippet similar to the one that could trigger this vulnerability:

#include <Windows.h>
#include <winioctl.h>
#include <stdio.h>

void TriggerHeapOverflow()
{
    HANDLE hDevice = CreateFile(
        _T("\\\\.\\MB_USB_MBIM_NETWORK"),
        GENERIC_READ,
        FILE_SHARE_READ,
        NULL,
        OPEN_EXISTING,
        FILE_FLAG_OVERLAPPED,
        NULL
    );

    if (hDevice == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE) {
        printf("Error opening MBIM device.\n");
        return;
    }

    // Send malicious USB packet
    UCHAR IOCTL_OutData[4096];
    RtlZeroMemory(th_buff, sizeof(IOCTL_OutData));
    DWORD bytesReturned;

    DeviceIoControl(
        hDevice,
        IOCTL_MBIM_OPEN_CMD,
        NULL,
        ,
        IOCTL_OutData,
        sizeof(IOCTL_OutData),
        &bytesReturned,
        NULL
    );

    CloseHandle(hDevice);
}

The code snippet is a representative example of a potential trigger of the CVE-2024-43561 vulnerability. By crafting a malicious USB packet and sending it to the MBIM driver, an attacker can initiate a DoS attack on a vulnerable Windows machine.

Affected operating systems: Windows 10 and Windows Server (2016 and onwards)

Consequently, the exploit requires physical access to the device in question, reducing the likelihood of widespread remote attacks. However, the severity of the impact on affected devices renders this vulnerability highly dangerous.

Original References

You can find more details about the CVE-2024-43561 Windows Mobile Broadband Driver Denial-of-service vulnerability in these official sources:
- National Vulnerability Database (NVD) entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-43561
- Microsoft's Security Update Guide: https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-US/vulnerability/CVE-2024-43561

Remediation and Mitigation

To address this issue, Microsoft has already released a security patch for the affected Windows versions. It is imperative that administrators and users apply the patch available in Microsoft's update catalog immediately.

If you haven't applied the patch and need temporary mitigation, consider the following options

1. Disable the Mobile Broadband driver: Prevent the loading of malicious code by disabling the Mobile Broadband driver. However, doing so will result in a loss of cellular connectivity on systems with mobile broadband capability.
2. Consider using Windows System Resource Policies to limit physical access of user accounts to specific devices such as USB ports.

Remember, the aforementioned mitigation techniques are only temporary and should not substitute for applying the security patch. To protect your systems comprehensively, promptly install the update provided by Microsoft.

Conclusion

CVE-2024-43561, a Windows Mobile Broadband Driver Denial-of-service vulnerability, has significant potential ramifications for affected Windows systems. Understanding the vulnerability, the exploit, and the associated remediation measures is critical to ensuring your Windows devices are adequately safeguarded.

Stay updated on the vulnerability and patch information as new developments unfold. Apply security updates promptly, and use best practices to mitigate the risk of potential Denial-of-service attacks in the future.

Timeline

Published on: 10/08/2024 18:15:22 UTC
Last modified on: 10/13/2024 01:02:38 UTC