mac80211: Track Only QoS Data Frames for Admission Control
Summary
GSD-2021-1002647: mac80211: track only QoS data frames for admission control. Affects Kernel versions >= 02219b3abca59fca81711bfe7ee78df7abad97ce, < 69f054d6642c8f6173724ce17e7ee3ff66b8f682. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The mac80211 package is a subsystem in the Linux Kernel that provides the implementation of the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking stack. It is responsible for managing wireless network interfaces and handling communication between devices. The package includes various components such as drivers, algorithms, and protocols to enable wireless communication. One of the key functionalities of mac80211 is admission control, which ensures that only authorized devices are allowed to access the network. This vulnerability specifically affects the admission control mechanism in mac80211.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in mac80211 allows unauthorized devices to bypass admission control and gain access to the network. The issue arises from the fact that mac80211 tracks all frames for admission control, instead of only tracking Quality of Service (QoS) data frames. This oversight allows non-QoS frames to be processed without proper authorization, potentially leading to unauthorized network access. The impact of this vulnerability can vary depending on the network configuration and the presence of other security measures. However, it has the potential to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the network, allowing unauthorized devices to intercept or modify network traffic.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a workaround, users can manually modify the mac80211 code to track only QoS data frames for admission control. The following code snippet demonstrates the necessary modification:
// Original code
track_all_frames_for_admission_control();
// Modified code
track_qos_data_frames_for_admission_control();
Conclusion
The vulnerability in mac80211 allows unauthorized devices to bypass admission control and gain access to the network. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to the recommended version or apply the provided workaround to mitigate the vulnerability. For further support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
mac80211 is a subsystem in the Linux Kernel that provides the implementation of the IEEE 802.11 wireless networking stack. It manages wireless network interfaces and facilitates communication between devices.
Admission control is a mechanism that ensures only authorized devices are allowed to access a network. It verifies the credentials of devices before granting network access.
The vulnerability occurs due to a flaw in the mac80211 package, where it tracks all frames for admission control instead of only tracking QoS data frames. This allows unauthorized devices to bypass admission control and gain network access.
The vulnerability can lead to unauthorized network access, compromising the integrity and confidentiality of the network. Attackers could intercept or modify network traffic, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized surveillance.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v4.19.222 or later. This update includes the necessary fix to track only QoS data frames for admission control.
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