CVE-2013-7027 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
The ieee80211_radiotap_iterator_init function in net/wireless/radiotap.c in the Linux kernel before 3.11.7 does not check whether a frame contains any data outside of the header, which might allow attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer over-read) via a crafted header.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7027 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the Linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically affecting the ieee80211_radiotap_iterator_init function. This issue resides in the net/wireless/radiotap.c file and impacts Linux kernel versions prior to 3.11.7, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited to cause system instability. The flaw stems from inadequate validation of wireless frame headers, where the kernel fails to properly verify the boundaries of frame data before processing radiotap headers. This allows malicious actors to craft specially designed wireless frames that contain malformed header information, potentially leading to memory corruption and system crashes. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the stability of wireless networking operations across all affected kernel versions. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read vulnerability, where the kernel attempts to read data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables attackers to disrupt wireless network services through crafted packet injection.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires an attacker to construct a wireless frame with a malformed radiotap header that specifies a data length exceeding the actual available data in the frame. When the ieee80211_radiotap_iterator_init function processes this crafted header, it does not validate whether the specified data length is within the bounds of the actual frame data, leading to a buffer over-read condition. This over-read occurs because the function assumes that all data specified in the header is available in memory, without checking if the frame contains sufficient data to satisfy the header's requirements. The kernel's wireless subsystem processes these frames during normal wireless network operations, making the attack surface broad and accessible to anyone within wireless range. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through legitimate wireless network traffic without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it a passive attack vector that can be exploited in various network environments. The buffer over-read condition typically results in kernel panic or system crashes, effectively causing a denial of service that can impact wireless connectivity for all devices on the affected network.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7027 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can compromise the integrity of wireless network operations and potentially provide attackers with opportunities for more sophisticated attacks. Systems running vulnerable kernel versions become susceptible to sustained denial of service attacks that can render wireless networks unusable, affecting both enterprise and consumer devices. The vulnerability affects all wireless network interfaces that utilize the radiotap header format, including those in laptops, routers, access points, and mobile devices. Organizations with wireless infrastructure are particularly at risk since a single malicious device within range can potentially disrupt network operations for all connected devices. The exploitability of this vulnerability is relatively high due to the widespread use of affected kernel versions in enterprise environments and consumer devices. Network administrators may not immediately detect such attacks since they can appear as normal wireless traffic, making the vulnerability particularly stealthy and difficult to mitigate without proper kernel updates. The attack vector operates through standard wireless frame transmission, requiring no specialized equipment beyond basic wireless injection capabilities, which makes this vulnerability accessible to a broad range of threat actors. According to industry best practices for network security, this vulnerability should be addressed immediately through kernel updates, as the risk of exploitation outweighs the potential disruption caused by patching operations. Organizations should implement monitoring for abnormal wireless traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all wireless network equipment is running patched kernel versions to prevent successful exploitation of this buffer over-read vulnerability.