CVE-2023-21661 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This CVE-2023-21661 concerns a Transient Denial of Service (DOS) vulnerability in Qualcomm's WLAN firmware, specifically related to the parsing of WLAN beacon or probe-response frames.

Understanding CVE-2023-21661

Qualcomm's Snapdragon series is affected by a vulnerability that could potentially lead to a DOS situation when processing WLAN frames.

What is CVE-2023-21661?

The CVE-2023-21661 vulnerability involves a buffer over-read in WLAN firmware, allowing an attacker to disrupt services by manipulating beacon or probe-response frames.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21661

With a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, this vulnerability poses a high risk to system availability but does not directly impact confidentiality or integrity. The attack complexity is low, and an attacker does not require special privileges for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21661

This vulnerability affects a wide range of Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms, including various versions such as AR8035, AR9380, FastConnect series, Immersive Home platforms, IPQ series, QCA series, and Snapdragon Mobile Platforms, among others.

Vulnerability Description

The issue involves a buffer over-read within the WLAN firmware, triggered during the processing of WLAN beacon or probe-response frames. This flaw can lead to a transient DOS condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

Numerous Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms and versions are impacted, ranging from Snapdragon Auto to Snapdragon Wearables, with specific versions like FastConnect 6800, IPQ8065, QCA9888, and more listed as affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft specially designed WLAN frames to trigger the buffer over-read condition, leading to a denial of service state.

Mitigation and Prevention

Qualcomm has released security advisories addressing this vulnerability and providing guidance on mitigation steps.

Immediate Steps to Take

Organizations using affected Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms should apply patches or updates as soon as they are available to prevent potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust network security measures, monitoring WLAN traffic for anomalies, and staying informed about security advisories can help mitigate risks associated with similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly checking for firmware updates and security bulletins from Qualcomm, as well as promptly applying patches for known vulnerabilities, is crucial to maintaining a secure and resilient network environment.