CVE-2022-50258 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically concerning the brcmfmac component. This vulnerability allows a stack-out-of-bounds read due to a non-null-terminated buffer being passed to the strsep() function in the brcmf_c_preinit_dcmds() method. The issue arises when the buffer, filled with a firmware version string, fails to terminate correctly, leading to potential memory access violations.
The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.8, categorizing it as high severity. This rating indicates that the vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations utilizing affected versions of the Linux kernel, especially in environments where local access is possible.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and potential data breaches, especially in systems that handle sensitive information. Given the nature of the stack-out-of-bounds issue, attackers may exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges or execute arbitrary code within the context of the kernel.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The Linux community has addressed this vulnerability through updates that ensure proper null-termination of buffers, thereby mitigating the risks associated with this vulnerability.
Vulnerability Details
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: brcmfmac: Fix potential stack-out-of-bounds in brcmf_c_preinit_dcmds() This patch fixes a stack-out-of-bounds read in brcmfmac that occurs when 'buf' that is not null-terminated is passed as an argument of strsep() in brcmf_c_preinit_dcmds(). This buffer is filled with a firmware version string by memcpy() in brcmf_fil_iovar_data_get(). The patch ensures buf is null-terminated. Found by a modified version of syzkaller.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of buffer termination within the kernel's wireless driver code. The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, meaning that an attacker must have local access to the system to exploit it. The complexity of the attack is low due to the straightforward nature of the buffer handling issue.
Exploitation requires low privileges, as the attacker only needs to be able to execute code within the kernel's context. No user interaction is required for successful exploitation, which increases the vulnerability's risk profile significantly. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is rated as high, as unauthorized access could lead to significant system compromise.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations utilizing vulnerable versions of the Linux kernel face considerable risk. The potential for unauthorized access and exploitation of sensitive data increases drastically in environments that require high security. Given the vulnerability's high CVSS score, immediate remediation is recommended to mitigate threats effectively.
The blast radius of this vulnerability includes all Linux systems running the affected kernel versions, thereby affecting a vast number of deployments across various sectors including finance, healthcare, and technology. Organizations should assess their systems for exposure and prioritize patching to protect against potential exploitation.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerability affects the following versions of the Linux kernel: - All versions prior to 4.14.308 - Versions 4.15 to 4.19.276 - Versions 4.20 to 5.4.235 - Versions 5.5 to 5.10.173 - Versions 5.11 to 5.15.99 - Versions 5.16 to 6.1.16 - Versions 6.2 up to (but not including) 6.2.3
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should ensure they are running patched versions of the Linux kernel to mitigate this vulnerability. The following actions are recommended:
1. Update to the latest version of the Linux kernel that addresses this vulnerability.
2. Review and apply configuration hardening practices to minimize the risk of exploitation.
3. Implement network controls to restrict access to critical systems.
4. Monitor logs and alerts for any unusual activity that could indicate an attempted exploitation.
Conduct penetration testing to validate the effectiveness of remediation efforts.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor the following indicators:
1. Log entries related to the brcmfmac component for signs of abnormal behavior.
2. Unusual memory access patterns or crashes indicating potential stack corruption.
3. Network signatures that may correlate with exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-50258 highlights the importance of rigorous testing and validation in the software development lifecycle, particularly in kernel development. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor oversights, such as buffer termination, can lead to critical security issues.
Security teams should take note of patterns in vulnerabilities related to memory management and implement comprehensive testing strategies, including fuzz testing, to uncover similar risks before deployment.
Organizations should prioritize adopting a proactive security posture, incorporating continuous security assessments and application security assessments to ensure their systems are safeguarded against emerging threats.
For organizations running Linux systems, staying informed about kernel vulnerabilities and implementing timely updates is essential for maintaining a robust security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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