CVE-2019-3944 in ANAFI
Summary
by MITRE
Parrot ANAFI is vulnerable to Wi-Fi deauthentication attack, allowing remote and unauthenticated attackers to disconnect drone from controller during mid-flight.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2024
The CVE-2019-3944 vulnerability affects Parrot ANAFI drones and represents a critical security flaw in the wireless communication protocols used for drone-to-controller connectivity. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the Wi-Fi infrastructure that governs the drone's operational link with its remote controller. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit the absence of proper cryptographic verification during the wireless session establishment process, creating an attack surface where unauthorized parties can manipulate the communication channel without requiring any credentials or prior access to the system. The vulnerability specifically targets the deauthentication frame mechanism within the 802.11 wireless standard, which is typically used to terminate wireless connections but can be abused to disrupt legitimate drone operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the drone's wireless protocol stack where the authentication and session management components fail to properly validate the legitimacy of deauthentication requests. When an attacker successfully injects a deauthentication frame into the wireless network, the drone's firmware does not adequately distinguish between legitimate network management operations and malicious disruption attempts. This weakness enables attackers to send forged deauthentication frames that cause the drone to disconnect from its controller, potentially leading to complete loss of control over the device during critical flight operations. The vulnerability manifests as an inability to maintain stable wireless communication between the drone and its operator, creating a scenario where the aircraft can be abruptly disconnected while in flight, particularly during mission-critical phases such as takeoff, navigation, or landing sequences.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3944 extends beyond simple connectivity disruption to encompass serious safety and security implications for drone operations. During mid-flight scenarios, unauthorized disconnection can result in loss of control over the aircraft, potentially leading to crashes or collisions in populated areas. The vulnerability particularly affects commercial and industrial drone applications where continuous operation is essential for mission success, including aerial surveying, inspection work, or delivery services. Security researchers have classified this issue as a remote code execution risk within the context of drone control systems, as the ability to disrupt communication can be leveraged to create cascading failures in autonomous operations. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to data integrity and mission planning, as operators may lose access to real-time telemetry and control parameters necessary for safe flight management. This type of attack can be particularly devastating in scenarios involving multiple drones operating in coordinated formations or in environments where precise timing and coordination are critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-3944 should focus on implementing robust wireless security protocols that include proper authentication mechanisms and encryption standards such as WPA3 or enhanced WPA2 configurations. Network segmentation and the implementation of secure wireless access points with proper MAC address filtering can help reduce the attack surface available to unauthorized actors. The affected drone manufacturers should implement firmware updates that include proper validation of deauthentication frames and enhanced session management protocols. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous deauthentication patterns and alert operators to potential security incidents. From an operational security perspective, drone operators should maintain awareness of their wireless environment and implement procedures for verifying the legitimacy of wireless communications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication mechanisms, and represents a significant concern within the ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network disruption attacks, highlighting the importance of maintaining secure communication channels in unmanned aerial vehicle systems.