CVE-2022-38680 in SC9863A
Summary
by MITRE • 02/12/2023
In wlan driver, there is a possible missing params check. This could lead to local denial of service in wlan services.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38680 resides within wireless local area network wlan driver components where a critical parameter validation failure exists. This flaw represents a classic example of insufficient input validation that can be exploited to disrupt wireless communication services. The missing parameter check occurs during the processing of wlan driver operations, where the system fails to properly validate incoming parameters before executing critical functions. Such a deficiency creates an operational weakness that can be leveraged by malicious actors to compromise the stability of wireless networking services.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a lack of proper parameter validation within the wlan driver subsystem, which falls under the broader category of weak input validation issues. The absence of adequate parameter checking allows malformed or unexpected input values to propagate through the driver stack, potentially causing the wlan service to crash or become unresponsive. This type of flaw commonly maps to CWE-252, which specifically addresses "Unchecked Return Value" conditions where the system does not properly verify the validity of input parameters before processing them. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the wireless driver, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the fundamental wireless connectivity capabilities of affected systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-38680 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire wireless infrastructure of affected devices. When exploited, this vulnerability can result in local denial of service conditions where wlan services become unavailable, forcing users to disconnect from wireless networks and potentially disrupting critical communications. The local nature of this vulnerability means that an attacker must already have access to the target system, but once present, the impact can be severe as it affects core networking functionality. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers "Network Denial of Service" and demonstrates how driver-level vulnerabilities can be weaponized to create persistent service disruptions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive parameter validation mechanisms within the wlan driver codebase. System administrators should ensure that all wireless driver components are updated with the latest security patches provided by vendors, as this vulnerability typically requires code-level fixes rather than configuration changes. The implementation of robust input validation routines should be prioritized to verify all parameters before processing, including bounds checking, type validation, and proper error handling. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns in wlan service behavior, which may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a local denial of service means that access controls and privilege management should be strictly enforced to limit potential attack vectors, while also ensuring that wireless services are properly isolated to prevent cascading failures throughout the network infrastructure.