CVE-2024-37862 is a buffer overflow vulnerability found in the Open Robotic Robotic Operating System 2 (ROS2) navigation2 stack, specifically within the nav2_planner process of the ROS2 Humble and navigation2-humble versions. This vulnerability arises when the nav2_planner process parses a specially crafted .yaml configuration file, leading to a buffer overflow condition. The overflow can corrupt memory and allow a local attacker with limited privileges to execute arbitrary code within the context of the nav2_planner process. The attack vector requires local access and some level of user interaction, such as providing or triggering the processing of the malicious .yaml file. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-94, which relates to code injection and improper input validation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.3, indicating a high severity due to the potential for full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise. However, the attack complexity is low, and privileges required are low, but user interaction is necessary. No public exploits or patches are currently available, which means organizations must rely on mitigation strategies until official fixes are released. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to robotic systems and automation platforms that rely on ROS2 navigation2, potentially allowing attackers to take control of critical robotic functions.

The impact of CVE-2024-37862 is substantial for organizations deploying ROS2 Humble and navigation2-humble in robotics and automation environments. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to manipulate robotic navigation processes, disrupt operations, or pivot to other parts of the network. This can compromise the confidentiality of sensitive operational data, integrity of robotic commands, and availability of robotic services, potentially causing physical damage or safety hazards in industrial, manufacturing, or research settings. Given the local attack vector, insider threats or compromised user accounts pose a significant risk. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently limits immediate widespread impact, but the high severity score and critical role of ROS2 in robotics make this a pressing concern. Organizations relying on ROS2 for autonomous vehicles, drones, or industrial robots could face operational downtime, safety incidents, or intellectual property theft if exploited.

To mitigate CVE-2024-37862, organizations should implement strict access controls to limit local user access to systems running ROS2 navigation2. Validate and sanitize all .yaml configuration files before processing, ideally using automated tools or scripts to detect anomalies or malformed inputs. Employ runtime protections such as memory safety tools (e.g., AddressSanitizer) during development and testing phases to detect buffer overflows early. Monitor system logs and nav2_planner process behavior for unusual activity indicative of exploitation attempts. Segregate robotic networks from general IT networks to reduce attack surface. Until patches are available, consider disabling or restricting features that process external .yaml files or running nav2_planner with the least privileges possible. Engage with the ROS2 community and vendors for updates and patches, and plan for rapid deployment once fixes are released. Conduct security training for personnel handling configuration files to prevent accidental introduction of malicious inputs.