CVE-2024-6501 is a vulnerability identified in NetworkManager version 1.40, specifically triggered when DEBUG logging is enabled and an interface (eth1) is configured with LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) enabled. The flaw arises from NetworkManager's improper handling of malformed LLDP packets injected by a malicious user. When such a malformed packet is received, NetworkManager crashes, leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition due to uncontrolled resource consumption. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity but impacts availability. Exploitation requires network access to the affected interface, user interaction (sending the malformed packet), and has a high attack complexity, as the attacker must craft a specific malformed LLDP packet. No privileges are required to attempt exploitation. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.1, reflecting the low severity of the issue. Currently, there are no known exploits in the wild, and no official patches have been linked yet. This vulnerability is particularly relevant in environments where NetworkManager is configured with DEBUG logs enabled, which is uncommon in production but may be present in testing or troubleshooting scenarios. The flaw underscores the risks of enabling verbose logging in network management components and the need for robust input validation of network protocol packets.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-6501 is a potential denial of service on systems running NetworkManager 1.40 with DEBUG logging enabled and LLDP active on interface eth1. This could disrupt network management services, potentially affecting network connectivity and monitoring capabilities. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, availability interruptions could impact critical infrastructure, especially in sectors relying on Linux-based network management such as telecommunications, energy, and government networks. The requirement for DEBUG logging and specific LLDP configuration limits the scope, reducing widespread impact. However, organizations using NetworkManager in development, testing, or specialized network environments should be cautious. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks to cause service outages. Disruptions in network management could delay incident response and network troubleshooting, indirectly affecting operational continuity.

To mitigate CVE-2024-6501, organizations should first verify if NetworkManager version 1.40 is deployed and whether DEBUG logging is enabled alongside LLDP on interface eth1. Disabling DEBUG logging in production environments is a critical immediate step, as this reduces the attack surface significantly. Network administrators should audit LLDP configurations and consider disabling LLDP on interfaces where it is not strictly necessary. Monitoring network traffic for malformed LLDP packets can help detect attempted exploitation. Applying patches or updates from NetworkManager maintainers as soon as they become available is essential. Additionally, implementing network segmentation to restrict access to management interfaces and employing intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous LLDP traffic can further reduce risk. Regularly reviewing and hardening network management configurations and logging policies will prevent similar issues. Finally, educating network operations teams about the risks of enabling verbose logging in production environments can help avoid inadvertent exposure.