CVE-2022-21745 in MT6761
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2022
In WIFI Firmware, there is a possible memory corruption due to a use after free. This could lead to remote escalation of privilege, when devices are connecting to the attacker-controllable Wi-Fi hotspot, with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06468872; Issue ID: ALPS06468872.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21745 represents a critical memory corruption issue within Wi-Fi firmware components that manifests as a use after free condition. This flaw exists in the wireless networking stack of affected devices and specifically impacts the firmware responsible for managing Wi-Fi connections and associated network protocols. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices where freed memory blocks are still being accessed or referenced by subsequent operations within the Wi-Fi connection handling process. Such memory corruption vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in firmware contexts as they operate at a low level within the device's operational environment and can be exploited to gain elevated privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker establishes a malicious Wi-Fi hotspot that targets devices attempting to connect to it. The use after free condition manifests during the normal Wi-Fi connection establishment process where the firmware fails to properly validate memory references after memory deallocation. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, effectively enabling remote privilege escalation without requiring any additional user privileges or interaction. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates entirely over the wireless medium and does not require the user to perform any specific actions beyond connecting to the malicious network. The vulnerability affects the fundamental network connectivity mechanisms that devices rely on for secure communications, making it a significant threat to device security and network integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21745 extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential complete device compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain root-level access to affected devices, enabling them to modify system configurations, install malicious software, monitor network traffic, and access sensitive data stored on the device. The remote nature of the exploitation means that attackers can target vulnerable devices from considerable distances without physical access, making it particularly dangerous for mobile devices, IoT equipment, and enterprise network infrastructure. The lack of user interaction requirements significantly increases the attack surface and makes this vulnerability particularly effective for large-scale automated attacks. This flaw aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use after free conditions in memory management, and represents a direct threat to the integrity of device firmware security models.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided patch identified as ALPS06468872, which addresses the underlying memory management issue in the Wi-Fi firmware. Device manufacturers should implement comprehensive firmware update mechanisms to ensure timely deployment of security patches across affected device fleets. Network administrators should monitor for suspicious Wi-Fi activity and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of rigorous memory management practices in embedded systems and firmware development, particularly in wireless networking components where memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous connection patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical need for security testing of firmware components and adherence to secure coding practices as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Secure Coding Practices and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for embedded systems. The patch implementation should be prioritized across all affected device models and tested thoroughly to ensure compatibility with existing network configurations and device functionality.