CVE-2024-53842: Google Android RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2024-53842 Overview

CVE-2024-53842 is a critical out-of-bounds write vulnerability discovered in the cc_SendCcImsInfoIndMsg function within the cc_MmConManagement.c file of Google Android. This memory corruption flaw arises from a missing bounds check, which allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly severe as it can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring any user interaction or special privileges, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on affected Android devices.

Critical Impact

This vulnerability enables remote code execution without user interaction, allowing attackers to potentially gain complete control over affected Android devices through network-based attacks targeting the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) messaging component.

Affected Products

• Google Android (all versions prior to December 2024 security patch)
• Google Pixel devices running unpatched firmware
• Android devices with IMS/VoLTE functionality enabled

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-03 - CVE-2024-53842 published to NVD
• 2025-07-24 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-53842

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the cc_SendCcImsInfoIndMsg function, which is part of Android's call control and IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) management subsystem. This component handles IMS information indication messages as part of VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over WiFi) call management. The flaw is classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), indicating that the function writes data outside the intended memory buffer boundaries.

The vulnerability's network-accessible attack vector combined with no authentication requirements and no user interaction needed makes this an extremely dangerous flaw. An attacker can craft malicious IMS signaling messages that, when processed by the vulnerable function, trigger the out-of-bounds write condition. This can corrupt adjacent memory structures, potentially allowing the attacker to hijack program execution flow and achieve arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected system component.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-53842 is a missing bounds check in the cc_SendCcImsInfoIndMsg function within cc_MmConManagement.c. When processing IMS information indication messages, the function fails to validate that the data being written fits within the allocated buffer size. This oversight allows attacker-controlled data to overflow the buffer boundaries, corrupting adjacent memory regions. Proper input validation and bounds checking before memory write operations would have prevented this vulnerability.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2024-53842 is network-based, targeting the IMS messaging infrastructure on Android devices. An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted IMS signaling messages to a target device. The attack does not require any form of authentication or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for mass exploitation scenarios.

The exploitation flow involves crafting malicious IMS information indication messages with oversized or malformed data fields that trigger the out-of-bounds write when processed by the cc_SendCcImsInfoIndMsg function. Successful exploitation can lead to memory corruption, potentially allowing the attacker to overwrite critical data structures or inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the telephony subsystem.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-53842

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or restarts of the telephony or IMS-related services on Android devices
• Anomalous network traffic patterns involving IMS/SIP signaling on ports associated with VoLTE communication
• Memory corruption signatures in system logs related to cc_MmConManagement components
• Unusual process behavior or privilege escalation attempts following IMS message processing

Detection Strategies

• Monitor Android system logs for crashes or exceptions in telephony and IMS-related processes
• Deploy network intrusion detection systems (NIDS) to identify malformed or anomalous IMS/SIP signaling traffic
• Implement endpoint detection solutions capable of identifying memory corruption exploit attempts
• Establish baselines for normal IMS communication patterns to detect deviations that may indicate exploitation

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable enhanced logging for telephony subsystem components on Android devices
• Configure network monitoring to capture and analyze IMS signaling traffic for anomalies
• Implement real-time alerting for unexpected process terminations in call control services
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity Mobile to provide comprehensive protection against mobile threats including exploitation of system-level vulnerabilities

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-53842

Immediate Actions Required

• Apply the December 2024 Android security patch immediately on all affected devices
• Prioritize patching for devices with VoLTE/VoWiFi functionality enabled
• Consider temporarily disabling IMS services on critical devices if patching is not immediately possible
• Monitor for any suspicious activity related to telephony services until patches are applied

Patch Information

Google has addressed CVE-2024-53842 in the December 2024 Pixel Security Bulletin. The patch introduces proper bounds checking in the cc_SendCcImsInfoIndMsg function to prevent out-of-bounds write conditions. Organizations and users should ensure their Android devices are updated to the security patch level dated 2024-12-01 or later. For detailed patch information and affected component details, refer to the Android Security Bulletin - Pixel December 2024.

Workarounds

• Disable VoLTE and VoWiFi features temporarily on devices that cannot be immediately patched
• Implement network-level filtering to block suspicious IMS signaling traffic where possible
• Use mobile device management (MDM) solutions to enforce security policies and expedite patch deployment
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity Mobile for runtime protection against exploitation attempts on Android devices