CVE-2010-1159 in Aircrack-ng
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in Aircrack-ng before 1.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and execute arbitrary code via a (1) large length value in an EAPOL packet or (2) long EAPOL packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1159 represents a critical security flaw in Aircrack-ng version 1.1 and earlier, which is a widely used open-source wireless network security auditing tool. This vulnerability resides within the packet processing functionality of the software, specifically when handling Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) packets that are commonly used in wireless network authentication. The flaw affects the tool's ability to properly validate input data, creating opportunities for malicious actors to exploit the software's memory management mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct attack vectors that leverage heap-based buffer overflows. The first vector involves sending an EAPOL packet containing an excessively large length value that exceeds the allocated buffer space, while the second vector exploits packets that are unusually long in size. Both scenarios result in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. The heap-based nature of these buffer overflows indicates that the vulnerability occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to wireless network security professionals who rely on Aircrack-ng for penetration testing and network auditing activities. An attacker positioned within the wireless network's coverage area could exploit this vulnerability to remotely crash the target system or gain unauthorized code execution privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The denial of service aspect means that legitimate security testing activities could be disrupted, while the arbitrary code execution capability provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised system. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and integrity of wireless network security operations.
The security implications of CVE-2010-1159 align with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly attractive to attackers. Organizations using Aircrack-ng for wireless security assessments should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to version 1.1 or later, where the buffer overflow conditions have been addressed through proper input validation and memory management. Additionally, network administrators should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous EAPOL packet traffic patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper input validation in security tools, as even legitimate auditing software can become attack vectors when memory safety mechanisms are inadequate.