CVE-2024-5564 is a classic buffer overflow vulnerability identified in libndp, a library used by NetworkManager to handle IPv6 Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP) messages. The flaw occurs due to insufficient validation of the route length field in IPv6 router advertisement packets. When a malformed packet with an incorrect route length is processed, it causes a buffer overflow, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite memory and execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects NetworkManager version 1.0 and requires no privileges or user interaction to exploit, though the attack complexity is high due to the need to craft specific malformed IPv6 packets. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.1, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as exploitation could lead to remote code execution or denial of service. The vulnerability is remote network exploitable (AV:N), with no privileges required (PR:N) and no user interaction (UI:N). Despite the severity, no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. This vulnerability is particularly concerning for environments that rely on IPv6 and use NetworkManager for network configuration, as it could allow attackers to compromise affected systems remotely by sending malicious router advertisements.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-5564 can be significant, especially for those operating IPv6-enabled networks and using NetworkManager 1.0. Successful exploitation could lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over affected systems, exfiltrate sensitive data, disrupt network services, or pivot within internal networks. Critical infrastructure sectors such as telecommunications, energy, finance, and government agencies that depend on Linux-based systems and NetworkManager are at heightened risk. The vulnerability threatens the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems, potentially causing operational disruptions and data breaches. Given the increasing adoption of IPv6 in Europe, the attack surface is expanding, making timely mitigation essential to prevent exploitation. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high severity score indicates that attackers may develop exploits soon.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should upgrade NetworkManager to a patched version beyond 1.0 once available from trusted vendors or distributions. 2. Network filtering: Implement IPv6 packet filtering on network perimeters and internal segmentation to block malformed router advertisement packets or restrict RA messages to trusted devices only. 3. Disable IPv6 router advertisements where not needed, or use RA Guard features on network switches to prevent rogue RA packets. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual or malformed IPv6 packets indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Employ host-based intrusion detection systems (HIDS) to detect anomalous behavior or crashes related to NetworkManager. 6. Conduct vulnerability scanning and asset inventory to identify all systems running vulnerable NetworkManager versions. 7. Apply principle of least privilege and network segmentation to limit exposure of critical systems. 8. Stay informed on vendor advisories and apply security patches promptly once released.