CVE-2024-20019 in MT7925
Summary
by MITRE • 03/04/2024
In wlan driver, there is a possible memory leak due to improper input handling. This could lead to remote denial of service with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation. Patch ID: WCNCR00351241; Issue ID: MSV-1173.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20019 resides within the wireless local area network driver component of a Microsoft Windows operating system, specifically affecting the wlan.sys driver module. This memory leak vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the network subsystem that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any special privileges or user interaction. The flaw manifests when the driver fails to properly handle certain input parameters, leading to memory allocation without corresponding deallocation, which creates a gradual degradation of system resources over time. The issue is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level within the wireless networking stack, making it accessible to any attacker who can communicate with the target system over wireless networks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management within the wireless driver's input validation routines. When malformed or unexpected input data is received through wireless network protocols, the wlan.sys driver does not properly release allocated memory blocks, resulting in memory fragmentation and eventual exhaustion of available system resources. This memory leak occurs during routine wireless network operations such as beacon processing, authentication handshake handling, or association request processing where the driver fails to implement proper error handling and resource cleanup procedures. The vulnerability is classified as a memory leak under CWE-401, which specifically addresses the failure to release memory resources after use, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices for kernel-mode drivers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can lead to complete system instability and potential crashes of the wireless networking subsystem. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted wireless network frames that trigger the memory leak condition, causing the wlan.sys driver to consume increasing amounts of system memory until the system becomes unresponsive or requires a reboot. The lack of user interaction requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where wireless networks are constantly exposed to external threats, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots, enterprise wireless networks, or IoT devices running Windows operating systems. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1499.002 for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage system weaknesses to disrupt network communications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-20019 should prioritize the immediate installation of the available patch WCNCR00351241, which addresses the memory leak through proper input validation and resource management within the wlan.sys driver. Organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory consumption patterns in wireless network infrastructure, as early detection can help identify exploitation attempts before complete system compromise occurs. Additionally, network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit the potential impact of wireless attacks, and regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential memory management issues within the Windows networking stack. System administrators should also consider implementing temporary network access controls that limit wireless communications to essential services only, while maintaining comprehensive logging of wireless network activity to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in kernel-mode drivers and the need for continuous security assessments of operating system components that handle network input data.