CVE-2024-58251

What it actually does

Improper input validation in BusyBox netstat allows argv[0] from a launched network application to contain unfiltered ANSI terminal escape sequences, resulting in terminal lockup when the output is rendered.

Why it matters to the business

Local denial-of-service conditions can interrupt administrative workflows and monitoring on embedded or Android-based systems that rely on BusyBox, increasing operational overhead until the terminal session is recovered or the system is rebooted.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker compiles or renames a network-related binary so its process name contains an ANSI escape sequence, executes the binary locally, and waits for a privileged or administrative user to invoke netstat; the escape sequence is then printed and freezes the victim's terminal.

How to fix it

Upgrade BusyBox to a version newer than 1.37.0; for affected Android devices apply the SoCVersion dated 2022-09-05 or later from the device vendor.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify BusyBox version is newer than 1.37.0, confirm netstat output no longer renders raw argv[0] values containing escape sequences, and test terminal behavior after launching a process with a crafted name.

Typical attack path

1. Create or rename a network application binary whose argv[0] embeds a malicious ANSI escape sequence
2. Execute the binary on the target system
3. Wait for or socially engineer a victim to run netstat
4. Observe terminal lockup on the victim's session

How to detect it

Review process listings and command-line logs for binaries whose names contain ANSI escape sequences; inspect terminal session recordings or syslog entries around netstat invocations for unexpected escape characters.

What your security team should do

• Apply the vendor-supplied BusyBox or Android SoC update immediately on all affected devices
• Audit scripts and monitoring tools that invoke netstat and replace them with safer alternatives where possible
• Monitor vendor release notes for any remaining downstream BusyBox consumers