CVE-2024-52544: DP Service Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2024-52544 Overview

CVE-2024-52544 is a critical stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability affecting the DP Service (TCP port 3500) in Lorex 2K Indoor Wi-Fi Security Cameras. An unauthenticated attacker can remotely trigger this vulnerability, potentially gaining complete control over affected devices. The vulnerability requires no user interaction or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for exposed devices.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit this stack-based buffer overflow to achieve complete system compromise, including arbitrary code execution, on vulnerable Lorex security cameras accessible via TCP port 3500.

Affected Products

• Lorex 2K Indoor Wi-Fi Security Camera (firmware versions prior to 2.800.0000000.8.R.20241111)

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-03 - CVE-2024-52544 published to NVD
• 2025-09-05 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-52544

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 (Stack-based Buffer Overflow), a memory corruption flaw that occurs when data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated size on the stack. The DP Service listening on TCP port 3500 fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer.

When exploited, the overflow overwrites critical stack memory including the return address, allowing an attacker to redirect program execution to arbitrary code. Because the vulnerability exists in a network-accessible service that requires no authentication, it presents an ideal target for remote attackers.

Root Cause

The root cause stems from insufficient bounds checking in the DP Service when processing network input. The service allocates a fixed-size buffer on the stack for incoming data but does not verify that the received data length fits within this allocation. When oversized input is received, it overflows the buffer and corrupts adjacent stack memory, including saved registers and return addresses.

Attack Vector

The attack is conducted over the network by sending specially crafted packets to TCP port 3500 where the DP Service listens. The exploitation process involves:

1. Establishing a TCP connection to port 3500 on the target camera
2. Sending a malformed request containing more data than the stack buffer can accommodate
3. The overflow overwrites the saved return address on the stack
4. When the vulnerable function returns, execution is redirected to attacker-controlled code

The vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, allowing for fully automated remote exploitation. Attackers with network access to the camera's management interface can compromise devices without any credentials.

For technical exploitation details, refer to the Rapid7 vulnerability disclosure and the public exploit repository.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-52544

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected TCP connections to port 3500 from external or unauthorized IP addresses
• Anomalous network traffic patterns to IoT devices, particularly security cameras
• Crash logs or service restarts of the DP Service on affected cameras
• Unusual outbound connections from camera devices to unknown destinations

Detection Strategies

• Deploy network intrusion detection rules monitoring for malformed packets targeting TCP port 3500
• Implement anomaly-based detection for unusual traffic volumes or patterns to IoT camera segments
• Monitor for exploitation signatures using threat intelligence feeds that include CVE-2024-52544 indicators
• Enable logging on network firewalls and review connections to camera management ports

Monitoring Recommendations

• Segment IoT devices including security cameras onto isolated network VLANs with restricted access
• Implement continuous network monitoring for devices running firmware versions prior to 2.800.0000000.8.R.20241111
• Configure alerts for any external network access attempts to TCP port 3500
• Maintain an inventory of all Lorex cameras and their firmware versions for rapid vulnerability assessment

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-52544

Immediate Actions Required

• Update affected Lorex 2K Indoor Wi-Fi Security Cameras to firmware version 2.800.0000000.8.R.20241111 or later
• Block external access to TCP port 3500 on all network perimeter firewalls
• Isolate vulnerable cameras on a separate network segment with no internet exposure
• Review firewall and router logs for evidence of exploitation attempts

Patch Information

This vulnerability has been resolved in firmware version 2.800.0000000.8.R.20241111. Administrators should apply this update immediately to all affected Lorex 2K Indoor Wi-Fi Security Camera devices. The patch addresses the buffer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking on input data processed by the DP Service.

For detailed information about the vulnerabilities and fixes, see the Rapid7 security blog post.

Workarounds

• Restrict network access to TCP port 3500 using firewall rules to only trusted management hosts
• Place all affected cameras behind a firewall that blocks inbound connections from untrusted networks
• Disable remote management access until firmware can be updated
• Implement VPN access for any required remote camera administration

# Example: Block external access to DP Service port using iptables
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 3500 -s ! 192.168.1.0/24 -j DROP

# Example: Restrict access to specific management host
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 3500 -s 192.168.1.100 -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 3500 -j DROP