CVE-2009-0052 in Wndap330
Summary
by MITRE
The Atheros wireless driver, as used in Netgear WNDAP330 Wi-Fi access point with firmware 2.1.11 and other versions before 3.0.3 on the Atheros AR9160-BC1A chipset, and other products, allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (device reboot or hang) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a truncated reserved management frame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0052 represents a critical security flaw in the Atheros wireless driver implementation affecting Netgear WNDAP330 Wi-Fi access points and similar devices utilizing the Atheros AR9160-BC1A chipset. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the wireless management frame processing subsystem, specifically when handling reserved management frames that have been intentionally truncated by malicious actors. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of wireless protocol implementation and device firmware security, creating a pathway for remote exploitation that can compromise both system availability and potentially execute arbitrary code on affected devices.
The technical flaw manifests when the wireless driver fails to properly validate the length and structure of management frames received from authenticated wireless clients. In the context of IEEE 802.11 wireless protocols, management frames serve critical functions including beacon frames, association requests, and disassociation notifications. When a truncated reserved management frame is processed, the driver's buffer handling mechanisms do not adequately check frame boundaries or validate frame integrity, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-121, Stack-based Buffer Overflow, as the improper handling of frame data can result in memory corruption that affects the device's execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure devices. An authenticated attacker within the wireless network's coverage area can exploit this weakness by sending specifically crafted truncated management frames that cause the device to reboot or hang, effectively creating a persistent denial of service condition. In some configurations, the memory corruption resulting from improper frame handling may allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to complete device compromise and unauthorized network access. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1499.004 for Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables both service disruption and code execution capabilities.
The exploitation of CVE-2009-0052 requires an attacker to first establish authentication credentials within the wireless network, typically through legitimate user accounts or compromised network keys. Once authenticated, the attacker can craft malicious management frames that exploit the buffer handling flaw in the Atheros driver implementation. The vulnerability affects not only the Netgear WNDAP330 but also other devices utilizing the same chipset, making it a widespread issue across multiple vendors and product lines. The lack of proper input sanitization in the wireless management frame processing creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly, with the potential for both immediate service disruption and long-term compromise of network infrastructure. Organizations should implement immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability, as the affected devices remain susceptible to exploitation until proper patches are applied.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware upgrades to versions 3.0.3 or later that contain proper frame validation and buffer handling mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement wireless intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious management frame patterns and consider network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in embedded wireless systems and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of network infrastructure devices. Additionally, organizations should maintain updated vulnerability databases and implement regular security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other network components that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow or input validation flaws.