CVE-2024-53580: Es Iperf3 Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

CVE-2024-53580 Overview

CVE-2024-53580 is a null pointer dereference vulnerability in iperf3 version 3.17.1, a widely used network performance measurement tool. The flaw resides in the iperf_exchange_parameters() function and triggers a segmentation violation when processing crafted network input. A remote attacker can reach the function over the network without authentication or user interaction, causing the iperf3 process to terminate. The vulnerability is tracked under [CWE-476: NULL Pointer Dereference]. Affected products include iperf3 from ESnet, NetApp ONTAP 9, and NetApp HCI Compute Node deployments that bundle the vulnerable iperf3 binary.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated remote attackers can crash the iperf3 service via a malformed parameter exchange, resulting in a denial-of-service condition against availability.

Affected Products

• ESnet iperf3 version 3.17.1
• NetApp ONTAP 9
• NetApp HCI Compute Node

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-12-18 - CVE-2024-53580 published to the National Vulnerability Database
• 2025-01 - Debian LTS advisory released for affected packages
• 2025-04-04 - NetApp publishes security advisory NTAP-20250404-0009
• 2025-11-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-53580

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability exists in the iperf_exchange_parameters() function inside iperf3 v3.17.1. This function negotiates test parameters between the iperf3 client and server during session setup. When the function processes malformed or unexpected data during this negotiation, a pointer that should reference a valid object is dereferenced while still null. The resulting segmentation violation terminates the iperf3 process. Because iperf3 is often deployed as a long-running listener for bandwidth tests, repeated exploitation prevents legitimate users from completing measurements. The same iperf3 codebase is embedded in NetApp ONTAP and HCI Compute Node products, expanding the exposure beyond standalone deployments.

Root Cause

The root cause is missing validation of a pointer returned during parameter exchange. The iperf_exchange_parameters() function does not confirm that a parsed JSON object or buffer is non-null before accessing its members. When the peer sends data that fails to populate the expected structure, the subsequent dereference triggers a SIGSEGV. The fix landed in iperf 3.18 according to the upstream release notes.

Attack Vector

Exploitation requires only network access to a listening iperf3 server. An attacker connects to the iperf3 control port and sends a crafted parameter payload during the initial exchange. No credentials, configuration changes, or user interaction are required. The vulnerability does not provide read or write primitives, so impact is limited to denial of service against the iperf3 process. See the GitHub Gist proof-of-concept for additional technical context on the trigger.

// No verified exploit code is published in vendor advisories.
// Public references describe the crash as reachable through a
// malformed parameter-exchange payload sent to a listening
// iperf3 server, causing iperf_exchange_parameters() to
// dereference a NULL pointer and terminate the process.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-53580

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected iperf3 process terminations with SIGSEGV recorded in system logs or dmesg output.
• Core dumps referencing the iperf_exchange_parameters symbol in the iperf3 binary.
• Inbound TCP connections to iperf3 control ports (default 5201) from untrusted sources immediately preceding process crashes.

Detection Strategies

• Inventory hosts running iperf3 version 3.17.1 by querying package managers or executing iperf3 --version across managed endpoints.
• Monitor for repeated short-lived TCP sessions to iperf3 listener ports that close without completing a measurement test.
• Correlate process exit events for iperf3 with preceding network connections to identify exploitation attempts.

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable auditd or equivalent process telemetry to capture abnormal terminations of the iperf3 binary.
• Alert on iperf3 listener ports exposed to untrusted network segments through firewall and netflow analytics.
• Review NetApp ONTAP and HCI Compute Node event logs for service restarts tied to the bundled iperf3 component, referencing the NetApp Security Advisory.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-53580

Immediate Actions Required

• Upgrade iperf3 to version 3.18 or later as published in the iperf 3.18 release notes.
• Apply distribution updates such as the Debian LTS Announcement on systems using packaged builds.
• Apply NetApp fixes for ONTAP 9 and HCI Compute Node as directed in the vendor advisory.
• Restrict access to iperf3 listener ports using host-based and network firewalls until patching is complete.

Patch Information

The upstream fix is included in iperf 3.18, released by ESnet. NetApp tracks the issue in advisory NTAP-20250404-0009 and ships updated builds through its standard channels. Debian Long Term Support has issued a corresponding package update for supported releases.

Workarounds

• Stop and disable the iperf3 service on hosts where bandwidth testing is not required.
• Bind iperf3 listeners to localhost or management-only interfaces using iperf3 -s -B <internal-ip>.
• Enforce ACLs that permit iperf3 traffic only from known measurement endpoints.

# Verify installed iperf3 version and restrict exposure
iperf3 --version

# Example: limit iperf3 to a management interface
iperf3 -s -B 10.10.0.5

# Example: block public access to the iperf3 control port
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5201 -s 0.0.0.0/0 -j DROP
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 5201 -s 10.10.0.0/24 -j ACCEPT