CVE-2020-17497 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

The iNet wireless daemon (IWD) through version 1.8 is vulnerable to a PTK reinstallation attack via retransmission of EAPOL Msg4/4.

Understanding CVE-2020-17497

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in the iNet wireless daemon (IWD) that could be exploited by attackers to trigger a PTK reinstallation.

What is CVE-2020-17497?

The vulnerability in eapol.c in IWD allows attackers to induce a PTK reinstallation by retransmitting EAPOL Msg4/4.

The Impact of CVE-2020-17497

This vulnerability could be exploited by malicious actors to potentially compromise the security of wireless networks utilizing IWD.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-17497

The technical aspects of the vulnerability are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in eapol.c in the iNet wireless daemon (IWD) through version 1.8.
Attackers can exploit this flaw to trigger a PTK reinstallation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: iNet wireless daemon (IWD)
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions affected: All versions up to and including 1.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by retransmitting EAPOL Msg4/4, leading to a PTK reinstallation.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-17497, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update IWD to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity related to EAPOL messages.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Regularly review and update security configurations for wireless networks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches promptly to ensure the protection of wireless networks.