CVE-2023-52161 is a vulnerability discovered in the iNet wireless daemon (IWD), a Linux-based wireless management service widely used for handling Wi-Fi connections. The flaw resides in the Access Point functionality within the eapol_auth_key_handle function in the eapol.c source file. Specifically, the vulnerability allows an attacker to bypass the Extensible Authentication Protocol over LAN (EAPOL) handshake process, which is critical for authenticating clients to protected Wi-Fi networks. Normally, the EAPOL handshake involves a four-message exchange to establish a secure connection. However, due to this vulnerability, an attacker can skip the second message (Msg2/4) and directly send the fourth message (Msg4/4) containing an all-zero key. This manipulation tricks the IWD Access Point into accepting the attacker as an authenticated client without verifying credentials. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5, indicating high severity, with an attack vector over the network, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact is primarily on confidentiality, as unauthorized users can gain access to Wi-Fi networks, potentially leading to data interception or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-287 (Improper Authentication). Although no public exploits have been reported yet, the ease of exploitation and the critical nature of Wi-Fi authentication make this a significant risk. No official patches or updates were linked at the time of publication, but upgrading to IWD version 2.14 or later is expected to resolve the issue.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to the confidentiality of wireless networks, especially those using IWD to manage Wi-Fi access points. Unauthorized access to protected Wi-Fi networks can lead to data breaches, interception of sensitive communications, and unauthorized lateral movement within corporate networks. Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and government agencies that rely on secure Wi-Fi connectivity are particularly vulnerable. The ability to exploit this vulnerability remotely without authentication or user interaction increases the attack surface and potential for widespread abuse. Additionally, organizations with remote or hybrid work environments using Wi-Fi for secure access may face increased risks of insider threats or external attackers gaining footholds. The lack of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not diminish the urgency for mitigation given the straightforward exploitation method.

1. Upgrade to iNet wireless daemon (IWD) version 2.14 or later as soon as it becomes available, as this version addresses the vulnerability. 2. Until patching is possible, consider disabling IWD-managed Access Point functionality or replacing it with alternative Wi-Fi management solutions that do not exhibit this vulnerability. 3. Implement network segmentation to limit access from Wi-Fi networks to sensitive internal resources, reducing potential lateral movement if unauthorized access occurs. 4. Monitor network logs and Wi-Fi authentication events for anomalies, such as unusual EAPOL handshake sequences or unexpected client authentications. 5. Employ strong Wi-Fi encryption standards (WPA3 if supported) and consider additional layers of authentication such as 802.1X with RADIUS servers to mitigate risks. 6. Conduct regular wireless security audits and penetration tests to detect unauthorized access attempts. 7. Educate IT staff about the vulnerability and ensure rapid incident response capabilities are in place to address potential exploitation attempts.