CVE-2023-28581 in FastConnect 6800
Summary
by MITRE • 09/05/2023
Memory corruption in WLAN Firmware while parsing receieved GTK Keys in GTK KDE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2023
This vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within wireless local area network firmware that occurs during the processing of received group temporal keys in the GTK KDE (Group Key Distribution) mechanism. The issue manifests when the firmware attempts to parse and handle GTK keys transmitted over the wireless network, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the firmware's key parsing routine.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves improper bounds checking and memory allocation handling when processing received GTK KDE frames. When a malicious actor transmits specially crafted GTK keys containing malformed data structures or oversized payloads, the firmware's parsing logic fails to properly validate the incoming data before attempting memory operations. This leads to buffer overflows, heap corruption, or stack smashing conditions that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code within the wireless chip's execution environment. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the firmware level where privilege escalation opportunities are limited but the potential for system compromise remains high.
The operational impact of this memory corruption vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include full system compromise and persistent access to wireless networks. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain control over wireless access points, wireless bridges, or other network infrastructure devices running vulnerable firmware versions. The attack surface includes enterprise wireless networks, public WiFi hotspots, and IoT devices that rely on standard 802.11 wireless protocols for group key management. Successful exploitation could result in complete network infiltration, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent backdoors within the wireless infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on firmware updates from vendors, network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for anomalous GTK KDE frame patterns. Organizations should implement continuous vulnerability assessment programs specifically targeting wireless infrastructure components and establish incident response procedures for potential exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed GTK KDE frames and implementing access control lists that restrict which devices can transmit group keys within the network. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow and ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through firmware manipulation, emphasizing the need for robust firmware security practices throughout the device lifecycle.