Linux Kernel Iwlwifi DVM Wireless Driver Key Management Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

A buffer overflow vulnerability has been identified in the Linux kernel's iwlwifi DVM wireless driver. This issue arises when handling TKIP keys, which can be up to 32 bytes long due to the inclusion of MIC rx/tx keys. The iwlwifi driver does not utilize these additional keys, leading to an overflow in the key management structure. The vulnerability was introduced in versions of the Linux kernel prior to the patch referenced in this CVE.

Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a buffer overflow, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution or causing a denial-of-service condition by crashing the system.

Reproduction

The vulnerability can be reproduced by configuring a wireless connection that uses TKIP encryption. When a TKIP key is received, the driver attempts to copy the key into a fixed-size buffer without properly checking the length, leading to a buffer overflow. This can be observed in the driver's key management functions, where the overflow is logged as a field-spanning write, indicating that the copied data exceeds the buffer's capacity.

Remediation

Users can upgrade to the latest version of the Linux kernel where this vulnerability has been patched. Instructions for downloading the updated kernel can be found on the official Linux kernel website.