CVE-2023-52525

What it actually does

Incorrect buffer size check in mwifiex_process_rx_packet allows out-of-bounds access to rfc1042 header fields when processing small received WiFi frames.

Why it matters to the business

Potential kernel crashes or memory corruption on Linux systems using mwifiex WiFi hardware, leading to device instability, denial of service, or possible code execution in wireless environments.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker sends crafted small 802.11 frames lacking rfc1042 headers to a vulnerable device; the flawed check condition causes the driver to access memory beyond the packet buffer bounds.

How to fix it

Update the Linux kernel to include commit 71b1d2b57f145c8469aa9346f0fd57bf59b2b89c or a later version containing the corrected OOB check in mwifiex_process_rx_packet.

How to confirm the fix worked

Confirm presence of the fix commit in kernel source; test reception of small non-rfc1042 packets to ensure no invalid memory access occurs.

Typical attack path

1. Position within wireless range of target
2. Transmit specially crafted 802.11 frames with insufficient length
3. Trigger mwifiex_process_rx_packet path
4. Bypass intended header skip logic
5. Induce out-of-bounds memory access

How to detect it

Inspect kernel logs and crash dumps for mwifiex_process_rx_packet entries or out-of-bounds warnings during packet reception.

What your security team should do

• Apply the referenced kernel commit or newer stable release containing the fix
• Review wireless driver usage and disable mwifiex if hardware is absent
• Monitor kernel logs for mwifiex-related oops or panics