CVE-2006-0376 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
The 802.11 wireless client in certain operating systems including Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 does not warn the user when (1) it establishes an association with a station in ad hoc (aka peer-to-peer) mode or (2) a station in ad hoc mode establishes an association with it, which allows remote attackers to put unexpected wireless communication into place.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-0376 represents a significant security flaw in the wireless networking implementation of several Microsoft operating systems including Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003. This weakness specifically affects the 802.11 wireless client functionality and stems from the absence of user notification mechanisms when establishing wireless connections in ad hoc mode. The vulnerability falls under the category of inadequate warning systems as classified by CWE-693, where the system fails to provide appropriate alerts to users about potentially dangerous network conditions. The flaw operates at the network layer of the OSI model, specifically impacting the wireless client's association process and connection management capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the lack of user awareness during ad hoc wireless network establishment processes. When a wireless client connects to or is connected by another device in ad hoc mode, the operating system fails to present any warning or notification to the user about this connection event. This absence of notification creates a situation where users remain unaware of potentially malicious connections being established, particularly when an attacker places themselves in the network as a peer-to-peer station. The vulnerability enables what is known as a man-in-the-middle attack vector, where an attacker can establish wireless connections without user knowledge or consent, allowing them to intercept, modify, or redirect wireless communications between legitimate network participants.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privacy concerns to encompass potential data compromise and network integrity violations. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can establish unauthorized wireless connections and create unexpected communication paths within the network infrastructure. This capability allows for various malicious activities including packet sniffing, traffic redirection, and potential network disruption. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where wireless security is paramount, such as corporate networks, public Wi-Fi hotspots, or any scenario where unauthorized access to wireless communications could lead to data breaches or network infiltration. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact vector that can be exploited without requiring advanced technical knowledge or specialized tools.
The implications of this vulnerability align with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1566 Phishing, as attackers can leverage the lack of user awareness to establish connections that appear legitimate while actually facilitating malicious network activity. Organizations running affected operating systems face significant risk of unauthorized wireless network access, particularly in environments where users may not be security-aware or where physical access to wireless devices is possible. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in user interface security design where the absence of clear warnings can lead to security breaches. Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing additional network monitoring, user education about wireless security, and consideration of updated operating systems that address this specific flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of unauthorized wireless connections, while ensuring that wireless network policies include proper authentication and encryption requirements to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.