CVE-2011-3359 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The dma_rx function in drivers/net/wireless/b43/dma.c in the Linux kernel before 2.6.39 does not properly allocate receive buffers, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (system crash) via a crafted frame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3359 represents a critical buffer allocation flaw within the Linux kernel's wireless networking subsystem, specifically affecting the b43 wireless driver module. This issue resides in the dma_rx function located in drivers/net/wireless/b43/dma.c, where improper handling of receive buffer allocation creates a condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger system crashes. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to 2.6.39, making it a significant concern for systems running older kernel versions that have not received the necessary security patches. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient input validation and resource management, where the driver fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming wireless frames before attempting to allocate memory buffers for their reception.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the kernel's wireless driver failing to adequately check the length field of incoming frames before proceeding with buffer allocation operations. When a maliciously crafted wireless frame is transmitted to a vulnerable system, the dma_rx function processes the frame without proper bounds checking, leading to either insufficient buffer allocation or buffer overflows during the reception process. This improper memory management creates a scenario where the kernel's memory allocator receives malformed parameters that cause it to either fail to allocate the necessary memory space or allocate an incorrect amount of memory, ultimately resulting in kernel panic conditions. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level and requires no local privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely through wireless network traffic.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3359 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can lead to complete system crashes and potential data loss in environments where wireless connectivity is essential. Systems running affected kernel versions become vulnerable to remote exploitation through wireless frames, potentially affecting enterprise networks, embedded systems, and devices that rely on the b43 wireless driver for network connectivity. The vulnerability's severity is compounded by its ability to affect both desktop and server environments, as well as embedded devices that may not receive timely security updates. Network administrators face the challenge of identifying vulnerable systems within their infrastructure, particularly in environments where wireless access points and client devices may be running outdated kernel versions.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate kernel upgrades to version 2.6.39 or later, where the buffer allocation logic has been corrected to properly validate frame sizes before memory allocation occurs. System administrators should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous wireless traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, disabling wireless interfaces when not actively needed can serve as a temporary workaround while patches are deployed. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input length, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing wireless intrusion detection systems and regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential kernel-level vulnerabilities that could be exploited in similar fashion. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in critical system components.