MadWifi: Denial of Service

1. Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

Advisory Reference	GLSA 200711-09 / madwifi-ng
Release Date	November 07, 2007
Latest Revision	November 07, 2007: 01
Impact	normal
Exploitable	remote

Package	Vulnerable versions	Unaffected versions	Architecture(s)
net-wireless/madwifi-ng	< 0.9.3.3	>= 0.9.3.3	All supported architectures

Related bugreports: #195705

Synopsis

MadWifi does not correctly process beacon frames which can lead to a remotely triggered Denial of Service.

2. Impact Information

Background

The MadWifi driver provides support for Atheros based IEEE 802.11 Wireless Lan cards.

Description

Clemens Kolbitsch and Sylvester Keil reported an error when processing beacon frames with an overly large "length" value in the "xrates" element.

Impact

A remote attacker could act as an access point and send a specially crafted packet to an Atheros based wireless client, possibly resulting in a Denial of Service (kernel panic).

3. Resolution Information

Workaround

There is no known workaround at this time.

Resolution

All MadWifi users should upgrade to the latest version:

Code Listing 3.1: Resolution

# emerge --sync
# emerge --ask --oneshot --verbose ">=net-wireless/madwifi-ng-0.9.3.3"

4. References

CVE-2007-5448

Updated November 07, 2007

Summary: This is a Gentoo Linux Security Advisory

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