CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-52424NVD status: Deferred

802.11_wireless_protocol: Missing Critical Step in Authentication

CVE-2023-52424 is a high-severity missing critical step in authentication vulnerability in 802.11_wireless_protocol from Ieee, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.4 out of 10. It can be exploited from the same local network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected 802.11_wireless_protocol versions: 0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.71% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 54% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Check which version of 802.11_wireless_protocol you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Ieee802.11_wireless_protocol0Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
AdjacentThe attacker must be on the same local network segment.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).

Official description

The IEEE 802.11 standard sometimes enables an adversary to trick a victim into connecting to an unintended or untrusted network with Home WEP, Home WPA3 SAE-loop. Enterprise 802.1X/EAP, Mesh AMPE, or FILS, aka an "SSID Confusion" issue. This occurs because the SSID is not always used to derive the pairwise master key or session keys, and because there is not a protected exchange of an SSID during a 4-way handshake.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Missing Critical Step in Authentication

The product implements an authentication technique, but it skips a step that weakens the technique.

More Missing Critical Step in Authentication vulnerabilities (CWE-304)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Missing Critical Step in Authentication vulnerabilities

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