CVE-2019-10126 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel. A heap based buffer overflow in mwifiex_uap_parse_tail_ies function in drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/ie.c might lead to memory corruption and possibly other consequences.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10126 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the Linux kernel's wireless networking subsystem, specifically affecting the mwifiex driver component. This flaw exists in the mwifiex_uap_parse_tail_ies function located in drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/ie.c, which is responsible for parsing tail information elements in wireless access point operations. The vulnerability manifests when the driver processes malformed or specially crafted wireless frames containing excessive or improperly formatted information element data structures. This particular implementation flaw falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write beyond the allocated memory boundaries of a heap-allocated buffer.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious wireless access point or rogue device transmits specially crafted beacon frames or probe response packets containing oversized tail information elements. The mwifiex_uap_parse_tail_ies function fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before copying it into a fixed-size buffer, creating an opportunity for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution with kernel-level privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access from a wireless network position to full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the kernel space, meaning successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover without requiring physical access or user interaction.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects Linux systems running kernel versions that include the affected mwifiex driver component, particularly those utilizing Marvell wireless hardware in access point mode or systems where wireless networking is actively configured. The attack surface expands to any device that processes wireless beacon frames or probe responses from untrusted sources, including enterprise wireless infrastructure, consumer devices with wireless capabilities, and embedded systems using Marvell wireless chips. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely through wireless network traffic, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless networks are not properly secured or where wireless access points are not properly authenticated. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could leverage it to establish persistent access through wireless network compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-10126 should prioritize immediate kernel updates from vendors such as Red Hat, SUSE, and other Linux distributions that have released patches addressing this specific buffer overflow. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and wireless access point authentication mechanisms to limit exposure to untrusted wireless traffic. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous beacon frame patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while disabling unnecessary wireless access point functionality reduces the attack surface. Additionally, implementing proper wireless network security measures including WPA3 encryption, MAC address filtering, and regular wireless network audits can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for wireless protocol anomalies that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, ensuring comprehensive protection against both known and potential future variants of this class of memory corruption flaws.