CVE-2023-43553 in Snapdragon
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2024
Memory corruption while parsing beacon/probe response frame when AP sends more supported links in MLIE.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2025
This vulnerability exists in wireless network implementations where access points process beacon and probe response frames containing MLIE (Multi-Link Element) information. The memory corruption occurs when an access point receives a beacon or probe response frame with an excessive number of supported links within the MLIE structure, causing improper memory handling during frame parsing operations. The flaw represents a classic buffer overread condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system crashes, particularly affecting wireless infrastructure devices implementing 802.11be or newer wireless standards that utilize multi-link operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 as it involves improper handling of memory boundaries during parsing operations, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through network protocol manipulation. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory allocation checks within the wireless driver or firmware parsing logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across enterprise and consumer wireless networks, particularly affecting devices that support multi-link operations such as Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 implementations. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious beacon frames with excessive MLIE link entries, potentially causing denial of service conditions or enabling remote code execution on vulnerable access points. Network administrators may experience service disruption when malicious devices flood the network with malformed frames, while the memory corruption can lead to unpredictable behavior including system reboots, memory corruption, or privilege escalation within the wireless firmware. The vulnerability is especially concerning in high-traffic environments where multiple access points process incoming frames continuously, as the exploitation can be performed remotely without requiring physical access to the network infrastructure. The attack surface includes wireless controllers, access point firmware, and wireless management systems that process beacon frames from wireless clients.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation and memory boundary checks within wireless frame parsing logic, along with firmware updates from vendors addressing the specific memory handling issues. Network administrators should consider deploying intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed beacon frames with excessive MLIE entries and implementing rate limiting or frame filtering mechanisms. Device vendors must ensure proper memory allocation for MLIE parsing operations and implement bounds checking to prevent overread conditions. The solution requires updating wireless firmware to validate link count entries within MLIE structures and enforce maximum limits on supported links per frame. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous frame patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that limit wireless device capabilities and regularly review wireless network configurations to minimize exposure to such vulnerabilities. This remediation approach aligns with security best practices for embedded systems and wireless protocol implementations, ensuring compliance with industry standards for secure wireless communications.