mac80211: Track Only QoS Data Frames for Admission Control
Summary
GSD-2021-1002692: mac80211: track only QoS data frames for admission control. Affects Kernel versions >= 02219b3abca59fca81711bfe7ee78df7abad97ce, < eed897a22230e3231a740eddd7d6d95ba476625f. 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 various aspects of wireless communication. The package includes functionality for frame transmission, reception, and management of network connections.
In the context of admission control, mac80211 tracks frames to determine if a new connection can be established. Admission control is a mechanism that regulates the allocation of network resources to ensure quality of service (QoS) for connected devices. By monitoring frames, mac80211 can assess the availability of resources and make informed decisions regarding new connections.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability identified as GSD-2021-1002692 in mac80211 affects the admission control mechanism. The package incorrectly tracks all frames instead of only QoS data frames for admission control. This flaw can lead to incorrect resource allocation decisions, potentially resulting in degraded QoS for connected devices. The vulnerability was introduced in version v3.19 of the Linux Kernel and has been fixed in version v5.10.88 by commit eed897a22230e3231a740eddd7d6d95ba476625f.
It is important to note that the impact and attack plausibility of this vulnerability have not been proven yet.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Conclusion
The vulnerability in mac80211's admission control, which incorrectly tracked all frames instead of only QoS data frames, has been addressed in the latest version of the Linux Kernel. It is recommended to update the Kernel to version v5.10.88 or later to ensure the proper functioning of the admission control mechanism and avoid potential QoS degradation. 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 handles various aspects of wireless communication.
Admission control is a mechanism that regulates the allocation of network resources to ensure quality of service (QoS) for connected devices. It determines if a new connection can be established based on the availability of resources.
mac80211 tracks frames to assess the availability of resources for admission control. By monitoring frames, it can make informed decisions regarding new connections and allocate resources accordingly.
The vulnerability in mac80211's admission control can lead to incorrect resource allocation decisions, potentially resulting in degraded QoS for connected devices.
Yes, this vulnerability has been fixed in Linux Kernel version v5.10.88 by commit eed897a22230e3231a740eddd7d6d95ba476625f.
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