External risk intelligence

H3C N12 Buffer Overflow Leads to Device Crash and Command Execution.

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2024-57473

The vulnerability resides in a web-based management interface (/bin/webs) of a network device. Such interfaces are commonly deployed as internet-facing or gateway management services, making them reachable from external networks.

Buffer Overflow

H3c N12 Firmware

100r005

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

This advisory details a critical buffer overflow vulnerability in H3C N12 network devices. The flaw, stemming from insufficient length verification in the MAC address editing function, could allow unauthenticated attackers to remotely crash devices or execute arbitrary commands by sending a crafted POST request.

  • Flaw lets attackers control network devices.
  • Critical vulnerability impacts remote device management.
  • Confirm if your H3C N12 devices are exposed.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted POST request to the device's web interface. This request would target the MAC address editing function, which lacks proper length validation. If successful, the attacker could cause the device to crash or potentially execute arbitrary commands.

  • No authentication or user interaction needed.
  • Triggered by sending a POST request to edit MAC address.
  • Risk of device crash or arbitrary command execution.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A buffer overflow vulnerability in the MAC address editing function could allow an unauthenticated attacker to remotely cause a network device to crash or execute arbitrary commands. This could occur when an attacker sends a specially crafted POST request to the device's web interface.

  • Network device stability and command execution.
  • Sending a malicious POST request to the web interface.
  • Device crashes or potential unauthorized command execution.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

Real-world action for this vulnerability likely involves network and infrastructure teams responsible for H3C N12 devices. The initial practical step is to identify all deployed N12 devices, determine their network exposure, and assess their criticality to business operations. Once accountable owners are identified, a prioritized remediation plan can be developed, coordinating with any relevant vendor management processes if a vendor-supplied fix is required.

  • Network and infrastructure teams own remediation.
  • Verify device reachability and business criticality.
  • Plan remediation based on identified risk.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is the H3C N12 device?

The H3C N12 is a network hardware product that uses firmware version V100R005. It functions as a networking device often used to manage connectivity. The vulnerability specifically affects the firmware's web-based management interface, which is the system used to configure device settings like network addresses.

What does CWE-120 mean for CVE-2024-57473?

CWE-120 refers to a buffer overflow, which is a classic software weakness where a program writes more data to a memory area than it can hold. In this specific case, the device fails to check the length of the input when a user edits a MAC address. By sending too much data, an attacker can overwrite adjacent memory, which can force the device to crash or even run unauthorized commands.

How is this vulnerability triggered?

An attacker triggers this by sending a specially crafted POST request to the device's web management interface, specifically targeting the MAC address editing function. It is important to note that this process does not require any authentication or user interaction; the device will process the request as soon as it is received.

Is my device at risk if it is not on the internet?

Halo Surface Signal notes that because this flaw resides in a web-based management service, it is highly likely to be exposed if the device is internet-facing. If your H3C N12 is restricted to an internal network, it is not reachable from the public internet, but it remains susceptible to any actor who has already gained a foothold within your local network environment.

What should I do if I use H3C N12 devices?

Start by identifying all instances of H3C N12 within your infrastructure to understand where they are deployed. Determine which of these devices are accessible over the network and prioritize those that are most critical to your operations. Coordinate with your infrastructure team to establish a response plan, which includes checking for official updates from the vendor to resolve the software flaw.