CVE-2024-37816 identifies a stack overflow vulnerability in the Quectel EC25-EUX cellular module firmware, specifically the EC25EUXGAR08A05M1G variant. Stack overflow vulnerabilities (CWE-120) occur when a program writes more data to a buffer located on the stack than it can hold, potentially overwriting adjacent memory and leading to unpredictable behavior. In this case, the flaw allows an attacker with local access and high privileges to exploit the overflow, which could result in denial of service or limited arbitrary code execution. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L) indicates that exploitation requires local access with low attack complexity but high privileges, no user interaction, and impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability to a limited extent. The vulnerability affects embedded cellular modules widely used in IoT devices, industrial equipment, and communication systems. No patches or known exploits are currently available, but the presence of this vulnerability in critical communication hardware poses a risk for targeted attacks or insider threats. The lack of user interaction and the need for high privileges reduce the attack surface but do not eliminate the risk, especially in environments where these modules are accessible to administrators or privileged users. The vulnerability was reserved in June 2024 and published in November 2024, indicating recent discovery and disclosure.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-37816 is on devices using the Quectel EC25-EUX cellular module, which are commonly embedded in IoT, M2M communication, and industrial control systems. Successful exploitation could lead to denial of service, disrupting device communication and potentially causing operational downtime. Limited arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to alter device behavior, compromise data confidentiality, or integrity within the device's scope. Since exploitation requires high privileges and local access, the threat is more relevant to insider attackers or scenarios where attackers have already gained elevated access. The disruption of cellular communication modules can have cascading effects on critical infrastructure, supply chain operations, and remote monitoring systems. Organizations relying on these modules for connectivity in sensitive environments may face operational risks and potential data leakage. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but highlights the need for proactive mitigation. The medium severity rating reflects a moderate risk level, balancing the technical difficulty and potential impact.

1. Restrict local access to devices containing the Quectel EC25-EUX module to trusted administrators only, minimizing the risk of privilege escalation exploitation. 2. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems interfacing with these modules to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts. 3. Regularly audit and update device firmware and software, and subscribe to Quectel security advisories for timely patch releases. 4. Employ network segmentation to isolate devices using these modules from critical networks, limiting lateral movement in case of compromise. 5. Use host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to monitor for unusual process behavior or crashes related to stack overflow exploitation. 6. Develop incident response plans that include scenarios involving cellular module compromise to ensure rapid containment and recovery. 7. Where possible, disable unnecessary services or interfaces on the module to reduce attack surface. 8. Engage with Quectel or device vendors to obtain security updates or workarounds as they become available.