CVE-2023-43551CWE-287

Improper Authentication in Multi-Mode Call Processor

Critical · published June 3, 2024

CVSS v3.1
9.1
EPSS
0%
Percentile
16.3
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

🚨 A rogue base station can leapfrog the authentication phase, sending Security Mode Commands like a mischievous trickster bypassing the bouncer at a club! 🔥 Think of it like a VIP lounge where anyone can walk in pretending to be a guest without showing a ticket — it completely undermines the security setup. This vulnerability allows attackers to impersonate trusted network components, making it a critical threat! If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to intercept or manipulate sensitive communications within the LTE network, leading to data breaches or unauthorized access to secure services. The implications are absolutely devastating, putting user privacy and network integrity at serious risk.

Put simply

Think of it like a VIP lounge where anyone can walk in pretending to be a guest without showing a ticket — it completely undermines the security setup. This vulnerability allows attackers to impersonate trusted network components, making it a critical threat! This cryptographic issue arises during the attachment process to an LTE network, where an unauthenticated base station can directly send Security Mode Commands, effectively skipping the crucial authentication phase intended to protect users.

What to do

If exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to intercept or manipulate sensitive communications within the LTE network, leading to data breaches or unauthorized access to secure services. The implications are absolutely devastating, putting user privacy and network integrity at serious risk. Immediately patch the affected systems as per vendor recommendations, and ensure network configurations enforce strict authentication protocols for base stations. Regularly audit your network for any unauthorized base stations to mitigate risks. You've got this! By taking these steps, you'll reinforce your defenses and keep your network secure! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
9.1 · CRITICAL
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.00256 · 16.3th percentile
Weakness
CWE-287 · Improper Authentication
Published
2024-06-03T10:05Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 03 JUN 10:05Z
    Improper Authentication in Multi-Mode Call Processor
    cvelistv5