The implementations of SAE in hostapd before 2.10 and wpa_supplicant before 2.10 are vulnerable to side channel attacks as a result of cache access patterns. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit cache access patterns to potentially retrieve sensitive information. The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates a critical severity, emphasizing the need for immediate action from organizations using these components.
Risk to organizations includes the potential exposure of confidential data and integrity violations. Given the low attack complexity and no required privileges or user interaction, this vulnerability is particularly concerning.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The vulnerability was published on January 17, 2022, and has been modified with new findings, highlighting the importance of staying updated with the latest mitigations and patches.
Exploitation status indicates that while there are known exploits, public proof of concept code has been found, making it imperative for users of affected systems to take swift action.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability arises from the implementation of SAE in hostapd and wpa_supplicant prior to version 2.10. This issue exists due to an incomplete fix for CVE-2019-9494, leading to vulnerabilities in cache access patterns. The CWE classification is CWE-203, indicating exposure of sensitive information.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, marking it as critical. The base score reflects its potential impact, including high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, as the attack can occur over the network with low complexity.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the flawed implementation of the SAE protocol in the affected software. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability through a network attack vector, with low complexity requirements, needing no privileges or user interaction. The vulnerability has high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, making it a significant risk for organizations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment of this vulnerability can lead to significant risks for organizations, particularly those utilizing hostapd and wpa_supplicant in sensitive environments. The blast radius potential is high, as attackers may exploit this vulnerability across networks, potentially affecting multiple systems.
The urgency assessment based on the CVSS score and known exploitation status indicates that organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycles. Given the critical nature of the vulnerability and the potential for exploitation, immediate action is warranted.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include hostapd and wpa_supplicant versions prior to 2.10. Organizations using Fedora 35 are also at risk, as indicated by the CPE entries.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the latest patches available for hostapd and wpa_supplicant. For Fedora users, updating to the latest version is crucial to mitigate this vulnerability. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing network controls to limit exposure and monitor for abnormal behavior.
For more information on penetration testing to validate your security posture, organizations should consider reviewing resources on penetration testing and ensure that security measures are in place.
Detection Guidance
Monitoring logs for anomalies related to cache access patterns may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Organizations should look for unusual network traffic patterns and system changes that could suggest exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability highlights the ongoing challenges in secure software development, especially in widely used components. Security teams must recognize the importance of thorough vulnerability assessments and timely patch management.
For organizations aiming to strengthen their security measures, resources on vulnerability management programs and penetration testing methodologies can provide valuable insights into maintaining a robust security posture.
Additionally, organizations should consider reviewing their security strategies and adapting to emerging threats by exploring API security testing practices as part of a comprehensive defense-in-depth strategy.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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