CVE-2021-44081 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A buffer overflow vulnerability in open5gs 2.1.4 can lead to AMF denial of service when the MSIN in Supi exceeds 24 characters.

Understanding CVE-2021-44081

What is CVE-2021-44081?

A buffer overflow occurs in the AMF component of open5gs 2.1.4, triggering denial of service by surpassing the character limit of MSIN in Supi.

The Impact of CVE-2021-44081

The vulnerability allows attackers to disrupt AMF services by overloading the system with excessive MSIN characters, potentially leading to service downtime.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-44081

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a lack of input validation in open5gs 2.1.4, enabling a buffer overflow attack by sending MSIN strings longer than 24 characters.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Product: n/a
Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending crafted MSIN strings exceeding 24 characters to the AMF component, triggering a buffer overflow and causing denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement input validation to restrict MSIN length within acceptable limits.
Monitor network traffic for suspicious activities targeting the AMF component.
Apply vendor patches promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
Educate staff on secure coding practices and the importance of input validation.

Patching and Updates

Keep open5gs systems up to date with the latest patches and security updates to address known vulnerabilities.