Linux Kernel iwlwifi Driver Uninitialized Memory Vulnerability via Corrupted MCC Response

A vulnerability in the Linux kernel's iwlwifi driver can lead to memory corruption and potential crashes. This issue arises when the firmware sends a malformed MCC response with an exaggerated channel count. The driver may then copy excessive amounts of uninitialized memory, risking a crash if the data exceeds the allocated response buffer. The vulnerability has been addressed by implementing stricter length checks on the firmware response.

Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability can cause memory corruption, leading to crashes or potential arbitrary code execution.

Reproduction

The vulnerability can be reproduced by using a version of the Linux kernel that includes the affected iwlwifi driver. When the firmware sends an MCC response with a channel count significantly larger than what the command can handle, the driver will improperly process the response. This can be done by manipulating the firmware to send such a response, causing the driver to copy excessive uninitialized memory, which can then lead to a crash.

Remediation

Users can upgrade to the latest version of the Linux kernel where this vulnerability has been fixed. Instructions for upgrading the kernel can be found in the official Linux kernel documentation.