CVE-2019-7291 in AirPort Base Station
Summary
by MITRE • 10/28/2020
A denial of service issue was addressed with improved memory handling. This issue is fixed in AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.8.1, AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.9.1. An attacker in a privileged position may be able to perform a denial of service attack.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7291 represents a denial of service weakness in Apple AirPort Base Station firmware that was resolved through enhanced memory management protocols. This issue affects specific firmware versions including AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.8.1 and 7.9.1, indicating that the flaw existed within the wireless networking infrastructure components that Apple manufactured and distributed. The vulnerability stems from insufficient memory handling mechanisms that could be exploited by malicious actors with privileged network access to disrupt normal operational functionality of the affected wireless access points.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-131, which covers improper handling of memory allocation failures. The flaw manifests when an attacker with elevated privileges can manipulate memory allocation patterns within the AirPort Base Station firmware, potentially leading to system instability or complete service interruption. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework category of T1499, specifically targeting network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or memory corruption techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire wireless infrastructure of affected networks. When exploited, the denial of service attack can render AirPort Base Stations inoperable, forcing network administrators to implement emergency maintenance procedures and potentially disrupting critical business operations. The privileged position required for exploitation suggests that this vulnerability may be particularly concerning in environments where wireless access points are located in sensitive areas or where physical access to network hardware is restricted.
Organizations should implement immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability, specifically targeting AirPort Base Station Firmware Update 7.8.1 and 7.9.1 releases that contain the memory handling improvements. Network administrators should also establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual network behavior that might indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors and ensuring that only authorized personnel have physical access to wireless infrastructure components. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated firmware in controlled environments before deployment to production networks to avoid unexpected compatibility issues that could compound the operational impact.