CVE-2022-21751 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This article provides insights into CVE-2022-21751, a vulnerability in the WLAN driver of MediaTek devices that could allow for local privilege escalation without the need for user interaction.

Understanding CVE-2022-21751

CVE-2022-21751 is a security vulnerability found in WLAN drivers of certain MediaTek devices, potentially leading to an out of bounds write issue. This vulnerability could be exploited to escalate privileges locally on the affected system.

What is CVE-2022-21751?

The vulnerability in the WLAN driver of MediaTek devices could result in an out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. An attacker could leverage this flaw to escalate privileges locally, requiring System execution privileges without the necessity of user interaction.

The Impact of CVE-2022-21751

The impact of CVE-2022-21751 is the potential local escalation of privilege on devices running Android 11.0 without the need for user interaction. This could allow an attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system, posing a significant security risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-21751

CVE-2022-21751 affects various MediaTek devices, including MT6771, MT8167S, MT8168, MT8175, and more, running Android 11.0. The vulnerability lies in the WLAN driver, leading to an out of bounds write issue.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from a missing bounds check in the WLAN driver, which could result in an out of bounds write. This flaw could be exploited by an attacker to escalate privileges locally on the system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Devices affected by CVE-2022-21751 include a range of MediaTek products running Android 11.0. The impacted devices encompass several models and versions utilizing MediaTek chipsets.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit for CVE-2022-21751 does not require user interaction. By leveraging the vulnerability in the WLAN driver, an attacker could achieve local privilege escalation on the affected MediaTek devices.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2022-21751, immediate steps and long-term security practices are essential to safeguard systems against potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators should apply relevant patches and updates provided by MediaTek to mitigate the vulnerability. It is crucial to stay informed about security bulletins and promptly apply patches to secure the affected devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, practicing good security hygiene, such as keeping devices up to date with the latest security patches, employing network segmentation, and restricting unnecessary privileges, can help prevent and mitigate similar security risks.

Patching and Updates

MediaTek has released patches addressing CVE-2022-21751. Users are advised to update their MediaTek devices to the latest firmware versions to eliminate the vulnerability and enhance the security posture of the affected systems.