CVE-2022-21783 in MT6761
Summary
by MITRE • 07/06/2022
In WLAN driver, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with System execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: ALPS06704526; Issue ID: ALPS06704482.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2022
This vulnerability exists within a wireless local area network driver component where an out-of-bounds write condition occurs due to insufficient input validation. The flaw manifests when the driver fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries during processing of wireless network frames or configuration parameters. Without proper bounds checking mechanisms, malicious code or compromised processes can manipulate input data to write beyond allocated memory regions, potentially corrupting adjacent memory structures and system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a missing validation step in the driver's memory management routines. When processing wireless communication protocols, the driver receives and processes various data structures including beacon frames, association requests, or management packets that contain variable-length fields. The absence of proper boundary checks on these fields allows attackers to craft specially formatted packets that cause memory corruption during buffer operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write conditions, which represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can be exploited to gain unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables local privilege escalation from standard user privileges to system-level execution rights. An attacker with local access to a device running the vulnerable driver can exploit this flaw to elevate their privileges without requiring user interaction or additional authentication. This represents a critical security weakness that can be leveraged by malicious actors who have already gained access to a system through other means such as social engineering, malware installation, or physical access. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire system since successful exploitation allows complete control over system operations.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-level vulnerabilities to achieve system compromise. The patch referenced as ALPS06704526 addresses this issue by implementing proper bounds checking mechanisms in the driver's memory handling routines. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided patch to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely or locally without user interaction. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring for suspicious wireless network activity to reduce the attack surface and detect potential exploitation attempts.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader class of kernel-level memory corruption flaws that can be exploited for system compromise. The absence of user interaction requirements makes this particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by automated attacks or during routine system operation. The patch implementation should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the bounds checking does not introduce performance degradation or compatibility issues with legitimate wireless network operations. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other potential memory safety issues in their wireless infrastructure components and implement defense-in-depth strategies including network monitoring, intrusion detection systems, and regular security updates to maintain robust protection against similar vulnerabilities.