Use-after-free vulnerability in wifi: mac80211: chanctx code
Summary
GSD-2022-1003315: wifi: mac80211: fix use-after-free in chanctx code. Affects Kernel versions >= 5bcae31d9cb1ebfad3ad5a3eea04c8cdc329a04f, < b79110f2bf6022e60e590d2e094728a8eec3e79e. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The wifi package, specifically the mac80211 module, is responsible for managing wireless network connections in the Linux Kernel. It provides the necessary functionality for handling various aspects of wireless communication, such as channel context (chanctx) management. Chanctx is a data structure that represents the configuration and state of a specific wireless channel. It is used by mac80211 to handle channel switching and other related operations. However, a use-after-free vulnerability has been discovered in the chanctx code, which can lead to potential security issues.
Vulnerability Detail
The use-after-free vulnerability in the chanctx code of wifi: mac80211 can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability occurs when the code attempts to access memory that has already been freed. By manipulating certain parameters or triggering specific conditions, an attacker can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or disrupt the normal operation of the system. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
As a workaround, users can apply patches or backports provided by the Linux distribution maintainers. These patches may address the specific vulnerability and provide temporary mitigation until a Kernel update is available. It is important to follow the instructions provided by the distribution maintainers and apply the patches correctly to ensure proper protection against the vulnerability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use-after-free vulnerability in the wifi: mac80211 chanctx code can pose a significant security risk. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to the latest version or apply patches provided by the distribution maintainers to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for Kernel →
FAQ
The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the attacker's capabilities and the specific system configuration. It could potentially lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, or denial-of-service (DoS) conditions.
You can use tools like Vulert (https://vulert.com) to check if your system is affected by this vulnerability. Vulert uses a manifest file like package-lock.json to monitor and alert in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in the software.
As of now, there is no known exploit for this vulnerability. However, it is important to apply the recommended fixes and updates to mitigate the risk.
Yes, users can apply patches or backports provided by the Linux distribution maintainers as a temporary workaround until a Kernel update is available.
You can refer to the vulnerability details in the GSD database (https://github.com/cloudsecurityalliance/gsd-database) for more information about this specific vulnerability.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for Kernel.
