CVE-2022-49023 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: cfg80211: fix buffer overflow in elem comparison
For vendor elements, the code here assumes that 5 octets are present without checking. Since the element itself is already checked to fit, we only need to check the length.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-49023 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the Linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically affecting the cfg80211 configuration framework. This flaw exists in the handling of vendor-specific elements within wireless communication protocols, where the kernel's wireless driver implementation fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before processing incoming wireless frames. The vulnerability manifests when the system processes vendor elements that are part of IEEE 802.11 wireless frames, particularly in scenarios involving wireless network configuration and management operations. The issue stems from an insufficient validation check that assumes the presence of 5 octets of data without proper bounds verification, creating an exploitable condition that could allow malicious actors to manipulate wireless frame processing.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to improper input validation in wireless protocol handling. The kernel code assumes that vendor elements contain a minimum of 5 octets of data without performing proper length verification, despite the element itself being validated for size constraints. This logical error occurs during the comparison operations of wireless elements where the system attempts to process vendor-specific information that may not conform to expected formatting. The flaw exists in the cfg80211 subsystem which serves as the wireless configuration interface for Linux kernel wireless drivers, making it a core component in wireless network management and configuration. When a wireless frame contains vendor elements with insufficient data, the system attempts to access memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across all Linux systems utilizing wireless networking capabilities, particularly those running kernel versions affected by the flaw. Attackers could exploit this condition by crafting malicious wireless frames containing specially formatted vendor elements that trigger the buffer overflow during processing. The consequences could include system crashes, denial of wireless service, or potentially more severe exploitation scenarios depending on the execution context and available privileges. This vulnerability affects wireless network adapters and devices that rely on the Linux kernel's cfg80211 framework for wireless communication management, including laptops, desktops, servers, and embedded wireless devices. The exploitation could occur in various network environments where wireless frames are processed, such as wireless access points, wireless routers, or any device handling wireless network configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient bounds checking in wireless protocol processing, which could be leveraged for persistent system disruption or as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-49023 should prioritize immediate kernel updates from trusted vendors, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent kernel releases through proper bounds checking implementation. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of wireless network traffic to detect anomalous vendor element processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix involves adding proper length validation checks before accessing vendor element data, ensuring that buffer boundaries are respected regardless of the actual data content. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit wireless network exposure, while maintaining regular security assessments of wireless infrastructure components. The solution aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for wireless protocol manipulation and T1499.004 for network disruption, making it essential for security teams to prioritize this patch deployment. Additionally, system hardening measures including kernel module signing, wireless interface restrictions, and wireless frame filtering should be implemented as part of comprehensive defensive strategies to prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow conditions in wireless networking components.