Ineffective size check due to assert() and buffer overflow in RIOT
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-120 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
RIOT is a real-time multi-threading operating system that supports a range of devices that are typically 8-bit, 16-bit and 32-bit microcontrollers. Most codebases define assertion macros which compile to a no-op on non-debug builds. If assertions are the only line of defense against untrusted input, the software may be exposed to attacks that leverage the lack of proper input checks. In detail, in the `nimble_scanlist_update()` function below, `len` is checked in an assertion and subsequently used in a call to `memcpy()`. If an attacker is able to provide a larger `len` value while assertions are compiled-out, they can write past the end of the fixed-length `e->ad` buffer. If the unchecked input above is attacker-controlled and crosses a security boundary, the impact of the buffer overflow vulnerability could range from denial of service to arbitrary code execution. This issue has not yet been patched. Users are advised to add manual `len` checking.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2024-32018
References
More RIOT-OS Riot vulnerabilities
- TI-2024-21112 Buffer overflows in RIOT CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2023-16843 RIOT-OS vulnerable to Out of Bounds Write in _rbuf_add CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2023-10319 RIOT-OS vulnerable to Buffer Overflow during IPHC receive CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-22079 RIOT has an Out-of-Bounds Write in nanoCoAP Handler CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2023-16842 RIOT-OS vulnerable to Race Condition in SFR Timeout CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-16841 RIOT-OS vulnerable to NULL pointer dereference during NHC encoding CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences