CVE-2014-8322 in Aircrack-ng
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the tcp_test function in aireplay-ng.c in Aircrack-ng before 1.2 RC 1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted length parameter value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8322 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the aireplay-ng component of the Aircrack-ng suite, a widely used wireless network security auditing tool. This vulnerability specifically affects versions prior to 1.2 RC 1 and resides in the tcp_test function located within the aireplay-ng.c source file. The flaw manifests when the application processes a crafted length parameter value, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges on systems running vulnerable versions of the software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the tcp_test function, which fails to properly bounds-check the length parameter before using it to manipulate stack memory. When an attacker supplies a maliciously crafted length value, the function attempts to allocate or manipulate memory on the stack without sufficient boundary checks, resulting in a buffer overflow condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in software security architecture. The overflow occurs because the application does not validate the size of user-supplied input against the allocated buffer space, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses and function pointers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be exploited to achieve complete system compromise when an attacker can influence the execution flow of aireplay-ng during wireless network testing operations. Since aireplay-ng is commonly used for wireless network penetration testing and security auditing, this vulnerability poses significant risk to organizations relying on Aircrack-ng for network security assessments. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to install backdoors, escalate privileges, or gain persistent access to systems where vulnerable versions are deployed. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries do not require physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where wireless network testing is conducted on networks with multiple connected devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8322 primarily focus on immediate software updates to versions 1.2 RC 1 or later, which contain patched implementations of the tcp_test function with proper input validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of wireless testing environments to unauthorized users. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of vulnerable Aircrack-ng installations and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues in other security tools. The incident also highlights the necessity of adhering to secure coding practices and conducting regular security reviews of network auditing tools to prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the wireless security testing domain.