CVE-2007-6025 in Wpa Supplicant
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in driver_wext.c in wpa_supplicant 0.6.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via crafted TSF data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6025 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in the wpa_supplicant wireless network authentication software version 0.6.0 and earlier. This vulnerability resides within the driver_wext.c component which handles wireless network driver interactions, specifically processing Time Synchronization Function (TSF) data received from wireless access points. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the software through specially crafted TSF information that triggers an exploitable buffer overflow condition in the stack memory region.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of wireless network management frame data, particularly the TSF field which contains timing information used for wireless network synchronization. When wpa_supplicant processes malformed TSF data, the software fails to properly validate the length or content of the received data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This lack of input validation creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crash. The vulnerability is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions where data is written beyond the bounds of a stack buffer.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to wireless network security infrastructure as it allows remote attackers to cause denial of service conditions affecting wireless authentication processes. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire wireless network authentication framework, as compromised wpa_supplicant processes can lead to unauthorized network access or complete network outages. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed from any location within wireless range of the affected device, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and public wireless environments where numerous devices may be running vulnerable versions of wpa_supplicant.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6025 primarily focus on immediate software updates to versions 0.6.1 and later where the buffer overflow has been patched. Network administrators should prioritize updating all wireless infrastructure components including access points, wireless clients, and authentication servers that utilize wpa_supplicant. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to isolate wireless networks, deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed TSF frames, and configuring wireless access points to limit the types of management frames they process. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1499.004 for network disruption, as it enables both service disruption and potential lateral movement within wireless networks. Organizations should also consider implementing wireless network monitoring tools that can detect anomalous TSF data patterns and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing wireless authentication service failures to minimize potential impact from similar vulnerabilities.