CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-25015NVD status: Analyzed

MQ: Insufficient Control of Network Message Volume (Network Amplification)

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-25015 is a high-severity insufficient control of network message volume (network amplification) vulnerability in MQ from IBM, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected MQ versions: 9.2 LTS, 9.3 LTS, 9.3 CD; 9.2 LTS; 9.3 LTS, and others listed below. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.92% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 61% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of MQ you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
IBMMQ9.2 LTS, 9.3 LTS, 9.3 CD; 9.2 LTS; 9.3 LTS; 9.3 CDNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CNA (us.ibm.com).

Official description

IBM MQ 9.2 LTS, 9.3 LTS, and 9.3 CD Internet Pass-Thru could allow a remote user to cause a denial of service by sending HTTP requests that would consume all available resources. IBM X-Force ID: 281278.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Insufficient Control of Network Message Volume (Network Amplification)

The product does not sufficiently monitor or control transmitted network traffic volume, so that an actor can cause the product to transmit more traffic than should be allowed for that actor.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • An application must make network resources available to a client commensurate with the client's access level.
  • Define a clear policy for network resource allocation and consumption.
  • An application must, at all times, keep track of network resources and meter their usage appropriately.

More Insufficient Control of Network Message Volume (Network Amplification) vulnerabilities (CWE-406)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in MQ

All MQ vulnerabilities

Recent Insufficient Control of Network Message Volume (Network Amplification) vulnerabilities

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