CVE-2022-38681 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 • 03/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-38681 resides within wireless local area network driver components, specifically affecting wlan services that manage wireless connectivity operations. This issue represents a critical weakness in the driver's parameter validation mechanisms, where insufficient input checking allows for potentially malformed or incomplete parameters to be processed without proper validation. The flaw manifests in the wireless driver's inability to properly verify parameter completeness before executing service operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to disrupt wireless functionality.
This vulnerability falls under the category of missing parameter validation, which aligns with CWE-252, indicating that the software does not properly check for required parameters before proceeding with execution. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the wlan driver receives input parameters that are either incomplete or malformed, yet the system fails to validate these inputs against expected parameter sets. The absence of proper parameter checking creates a pathway for exploitation where an attacker can craft specific inputs that bypass validation routines, leading to service disruption. The operational impact is particularly concerning as it affects core wireless services that many systems depend upon for network connectivity, potentially rendering wireless functionality unavailable to legitimate users.
The local denial of service aspect of this vulnerability means that an attacker with local system access can exploit the flaw to cause wlan services to become unresponsive or terminate unexpectedly. This condition can be triggered through manipulation of wireless driver parameters, potentially causing the wireless service to crash or enter an unstable state. The attack surface is limited to local users who have access to the system, but this access level is often sufficient for exploitation in many environments, particularly in enterprise settings where local access might be obtained through various means including social engineering or privilege escalation attacks. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect network availability and potentially compromise wireless network security posture.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent threat to wireless network reliability and availability. When exploited, it can cause intermittent wireless connectivity issues that may be difficult to diagnose, as the service disruption occurs at the driver level rather than at application or network layers. The vulnerability's local nature means that detection and prevention require monitoring of system-level processes and driver behavior rather than traditional network-based intrusion detection methods. Organizations should consider implementing process monitoring solutions that can detect abnormal driver behavior or parameter handling patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular driver updates and patch management programs, as wireless drivers often receive updates that address such parameter validation issues.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as vendor releases typically address the root cause by implementing proper parameter validation routines. System administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring for wireless service stability and parameter handling behaviors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, as local attackers can leverage such flaws to maintain persistent access or disrupt services. Organizations should also implement least privilege access controls to limit local user access to systems where wireless drivers are present, reducing the attack surface for exploitation. Additionally, network segmentation strategies can help contain the impact of such vulnerabilities by isolating wireless services from critical network components.