CVE-2024-43912 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: nl80211: disallow setting special AP channel widths
Setting the AP channel width is meant for use with the normal 20/40/... MHz channel width progression, and switching around in S1G or narrow channels isn't supported. Disallow that.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-43912 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically within the nl80211 subsystem that manages wireless device configuration. This issue affects the handling of access point channel width settings in wireless networking implementations, creating potential security risks through improper channel configuration management. The vulnerability stems from the kernel's failure to properly validate channel width parameters when configuring wireless access points, particularly in scenarios involving special channel configurations that should be restricted.
The technical flaw manifests when the kernel allows configuration of access point channel widths that fall outside the standard 20/40/80/160 MHz progression typically used in wireless networking standards. The vulnerability specifically occurs in the nl80211 subsystem which handles wireless configuration commands, where the kernel does not properly enforce restrictions on special channel widths that are not supported in S1G (Single User 1G) or narrow channel configurations. This improper validation creates a potential attack surface where malicious actors could manipulate wireless channel settings to disrupt network operations or potentially exploit underlying wireless protocol implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration errors to potentially compromise wireless network stability and security. When an access point is configured with unsupported channel widths, it can lead to interference issues, reduced network performance, and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability particularly affects wireless networks operating in environments where strict channel width management is required for compliance with regulatory standards or network performance optimization. Attackers could potentially leverage this flaw to create network disruptions or gain unauthorized access to wireless resources through malformed channel width configurations that bypass normal validation procedures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-43912 involve implementing proper kernel updates that enforce strict validation of channel width parameters during wireless access point configuration. System administrators should ensure that all wireless networking infrastructure operates on patched kernel versions that contain the specific fix for this vulnerability. The remediation process requires updating the Linux kernel to versions that properly restrict channel width settings to supported configurations, specifically preventing the assignment of special channel widths that are not compatible with standard wireless networking protocols. This fix aligns with the principle of least privilege and input validation as outlined in the CWE-20 standard for input validation vulnerabilities, and addresses potential attack vectors categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's network service scanning and wireless attack categories. Organizations should also implement monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized wireless configuration changes and maintain strict wireless network management policies that prevent the execution of unsupported channel width configurations.