CVE-2007-5474 in AR5416-AC1E chipset
Summary
by MITRE
The driver for the Linksys WRT350N Wi-Fi access point with firmware 2.00.17 on the Atheros AR5416-AC1E chipset does not properly parse the Atheros vendor-specific information element in an association request, which allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (device reboot or hang) or possibly execute arbitrary code via an Atheros information element with an invalid length, as demonstrated by an element that is too long.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-5474 represents a critical flaw in the wireless access point driver architecture of the Linksys WRT350N device running firmware version 2.00.17. This issue manifests within the Atheros AR5416-AC1E chipset implementation where the device fails to properly validate vendor-specific information elements during the wireless association process. The vulnerability specifically targets the parsing mechanism of Atheros vendor-specific information elements, which are standard components in wireless networking protocols used to convey proprietary capabilities and configurations between access points and client devices. When an authenticated attacker crafts a malicious association request containing an Atheros information element with an invalid or excessive length, the device's driver fails to handle this malformed data gracefully, leading to system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the normal wireless association handshake process where client devices communicate with the access point to establish network connectivity. The Atheros vendor-specific information element is designed to carry proprietary data that allows for extended functionality and configuration options beyond standard wireless parameters. However, the driver implementation lacks proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms for these vendor-specific elements. When processing an association request containing an information element with an invalid length parameter, the driver's parsing routine encounters a buffer overflow condition or memory corruption scenario that results in system crashes. This vulnerability operates at the network driver level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by authenticated users within the wireless network's coverage area, effectively providing a path for remote attackers to disrupt network services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable arbitrary code execution within the device's operating environment. The device reboot or hang conditions represent immediate availability impacts that can disrupt network connectivity for all users within the affected access point's coverage area. However, the potential for arbitrary code execution introduces a more severe threat vector where an attacker could gain persistent control over the device's operational environment. This capability would allow for complete compromise of the wireless network infrastructure, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, data interception, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's authentication requirement means that only users who have successfully authenticated to the wireless network can exploit this flaw, but this still represents a significant security risk as it provides a path for authenticated attackers to escalate their privileges and compromise the entire network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Linksys to address the driver parsing deficiencies in the Atheros chipset implementation. Network administrators should prioritize updating all affected WRT350N devices to the latest firmware versions that contain proper bounds checking and input validation for vendor-specific information elements. The implementation of network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous association requests containing malformed information elements provides an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. Security controls should also include network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise and regular security assessments to identify other vulnerable devices within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories related to buffer overflow conditions and improper input validation, while also mapping to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through network infrastructure manipulation. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues across their wireless network infrastructure.