CVE-2023-52832
📋 TL;DR
This CVE-2023-52832 is a Linux kernel vulnerability in the WiFi subsystem where the ieee80211_get_tx_power() function could return an uninitialized value (INT_MIN), causing a signed integer overflow during multiplication. This affects systems using the mac80211 WiFi stack in the Linux kernel, potentially leading to kernel crashes or instability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with mac80211 WiFi subsystem
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic or system crash due to integer overflow, causing denial of service and potential system instability.
Likely Case
Kernel warning/error messages in logs, potential WiFi functionality disruption, or system instability when querying transmit power.
If Mitigated
Function returns error instead of invalid value, preventing overflow and maintaining system stability.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering the specific function call path. This is primarily a stability/DoS issue rather than a privilege escalation or code execution vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 21a0f310a9f3bfd2b4cf4f382430e638607db846, 2be24c47ac19bf639c48c082486c08888bd603c6, 5a94cffe90e20e8fade0b9abd4370bd671fe87c7, 717de20abdcd1d4993fa450e28b8086a352620ea, adc2474d823fe81d8da759207f4f1d3691aa775a
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21a0f310a9f3bfd2b4cf4f382430e638607db846
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WiFi or mac80211 module
linuxPrevent the vulnerable code path by disabling WiFi functionality or unloading the mac80211 module
sudo modprobe -r mac80211
sudo systemctl stop NetworkManager
sudo ifconfig wlan0 down
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Avoid using WiFi functionality on affected systems
- Monitor system logs for UBSAN warnings related to signed-integer-overflow
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if mac80211 module is loaded: lsmod | grep mac80211 && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated beyond fix commits and check dmesg for absence of UBSAN warnings📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- UBSAN: signed-integer-overflow in net/wireless/nl80211.c
- Kernel panic or oops messages
- WiFi connectivity issues
Network Indicators:
- WiFi interface instability
- Increased kernel error rates
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("UBSAN" OR "signed-integer-overflow" OR "mac80211")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21a0f310a9f3bfd2b4cf4f382430e638607db846
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2be24c47ac19bf639c48c082486c08888bd603c6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a94cffe90e20e8fade0b9abd4370bd671fe87c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/717de20abdcd1d4993fa450e28b8086a352620ea
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/adc2474d823fe81d8da759207f4f1d3691aa775a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e160ab85166e77347d0cbe5149045cb25e83937f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1571120c44dbe5757aee1612c5b6097cdc42710f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21a0f310a9f3bfd2b4cf4f382430e638607db846
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/298e767362cade639b7121ecb3cc5345b6529f62
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2be24c47ac19bf639c48c082486c08888bd603c6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5a94cffe90e20e8fade0b9abd4370bd671fe87c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/717de20abdcd1d4993fa450e28b8086a352620ea
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/adc2474d823fe81d8da759207f4f1d3691aa775a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e160ab85166e77347d0cbe5149045cb25e83937f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/efeae5f4972f75d50002bc50eb112ab9e7069b18
