mac80211: Fix Locking in ieee80211_start_ap Error Path
Summary
GSD-2021-1002810: mac80211: fix locking in ieee80211_start_ap error path. Affects Kernel versions >= 295b02c4be74bebf988593b8322369513fcecf68, < ac61b9c6c0549aaeb98194cf429d93c41bfe5f79. 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 LAN protocol. It is responsible for managing wireless network interfaces and handling various operations such as scanning, connecting, and transmitting data. The ieee80211_start_ap function in mac80211 is used to start an access point (AP) mode on a wireless interface. However, there is a vulnerability in the locking mechanism used in the error path of this function.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability occurs when an error is encountered during the execution of ieee80211_start_ap. In this error path, the locking mechanism is not properly handled, leading to potential concurrency issues and race conditions. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. 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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Workaround
There is no specific workaround mentioned for this vulnerability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the mac80211 package in the Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a locking issue in the ieee80211_start_ap error path. This vulnerability could potentially lead to a denial-of-service condition or arbitrary code execution. It is recommended to update the Linux Kernel to version v5.10.89 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 LAN protocol. It manages wireless network interfaces and handles various operations such as scanning, connecting, and transmitting data.
ieee80211_start_ap is a function in mac80211 that is used to start an access point (AP) mode on a wireless interface.
The impact of this vulnerability could be a denial-of-service (DoS) condition or potential execution of arbitrary code with elevated privileges. However, the actual impact and attack plausibility have not been proven yet.
To fix this vulnerability, users should update their Linux Kernel to version v5.10.89 or later.
No specific workaround has been mentioned for this vulnerability.
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