mac80211: validate extended element ID is present
Summary
GSD-2021-1002666: mac80211: validate extended element ID is present. Affects Kernel versions >= 41cbb0f5a29592874355e4159489eb08337cd50e, < a19cf6844b509d44ecbd536f33d314d91ecdd2b5. 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 vulnerability in mac80211 involves the validation of extended element IDs. Extended element IDs are used to provide additional information in beacon frames and probe responses. However, if these IDs are not properly validated, it could lead to security vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in mac80211 arises from a lack of validation for extended element IDs. When processing beacon frames or probe responses, the package fails to check if the extended element ID is present. This oversight could potentially allow an attacker to craft malicious frames with invalid or unexpected extended element IDs, leading to various security issues. The impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet. The vulnerability was introduced in version v4.19 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.4.168.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.
Conclusion
The mac80211 package in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a lack of validation for extended element IDs. This vulnerability can potentially be exploited by an attacker to craft malicious frames and compromise the security of wireless networks. It is crucial to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.4.168 or later to mitigate this 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.
Extended element IDs are used to provide additional information in beacon frames and probe responses in wireless networks.
The vulnerability in mac80211 allows an attacker to craft malicious frames with invalid or unexpected extended element IDs, potentially leading to security issues. However, the actual impact and attack plausibility have not been proven yet.
Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed in version v5.4.168 of the Linux Kernel.
To fix the vulnerability, it is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.4.168 or later.
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