CVE-2024-24454
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to cause a denial of service in Athonet vEPC MME cellular network equipment by sending specially crafted E-RAB Modify Request messages. The invalid memory access in the ProtocolIE_ID field handling can crash the MME service, disrupting cellular connectivity. Organizations using Athonet vEPC MME v11.4.0 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Athonet vEPC MME
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete cellular network outage affecting all users in the coverage area, with extended downtime until service restoration.
Likely Case
Intermittent service disruptions affecting subsets of users, requiring MME service restarts and causing temporary connectivity loss.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with quick service recovery if proper monitoring and redundancy are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of 4G/5G protocols and ability to craft E-RAB Modify Request messages. No authentication bypass needed as the vulnerability is in message processing.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not specified in reference - check vendor advisory for updated version
Vendor Advisory: https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=hpesbnw04780en_us&docLocale=en_US
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review HPE advisory for patch details. 2. Obtain updated software from Athonet/HPE. 3. Schedule maintenance window. 4. Backup current configuration. 5. Apply patch following vendor instructions. 6. Restart MME service. 7. Verify functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Network Segmentation
allRestrict access to MME interfaces to trusted network segments only
Rate Limiting
allImplement rate limiting on E-RAB Modify Request messages to prevent rapid exploitation
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can send messages to the MME
- Deploy redundant MME instances with load balancing to maintain service if one instance crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if running Athonet vEPC MME v11.4.0 via vendor-specific version check commands or management interfaceCheck Version:
Vendor-specific command - consult Athonet/HPE documentationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify patch installation via vendor management tools and test with legitimate E-RAB Modify Request messages📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- MME service crashes or restarts
- Abnormal E-RAB Modify Request message patterns
- Memory access violation errors in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual volume of E-RAB Modify Request messages
- Messages with malformed ProtocolIE_ID fields
- Sudden loss of MME connectivity
SIEM Query:
source="mmelogs" AND ("crash" OR "restart" OR "memory access") OR dest_port="MME_port" AND protocol="S1AP" AND msg_type="E-RAB_MODIFY_REQUEST" AND abnormal_pattern