Linux Kernel drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-agn-sta.c Buffer Overflow Vulnerability [CVE-2012-6712]

CVE number – CVE-2012-6712

A vulnerability in the Linux Kernel could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to gain elevated privileges on a targeted system.

The vulnerability is due to a buffer overflow condition that could occur in the drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-agn-sta.c source code file of the affected software. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a request that submits malicious input to the targeted system. A successful exploit could trigger a buffer overflow condition that the attacker could use to corrupt memory or gain elevated privileges on the system. 

Kernel.org has confirmed the vulnerability and released software updates.

Analysis

• To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must send a request that submits malicious input to the targeted system, making exploitation more difficult in environments that restrict network access from untrusted sources.

Safeguards

• Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.
  
  Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to have network access.
  
  Administrators are advised to run both firewall and antivirus applications to minimize the potential of inbound and outbound threats.
  
  Administrators may consider using IP-based access control lists (ACLs) to allow only trusted systems to access the affected systems.
  
  Administrators can help protect affected systems from external attacks by using a solid firewall strategy.
  
  Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.

Vendor Announcements

• Kernel.org has released a git commit at the following link: commit 2da424b0773cea3db47e1e81db71eeebde8269d4

Fixed Software

• Kernel.org has released software updates and a git commit at the following links: Kernel 3.4 or laterand iwlwifi: Sanity check for sta_id