Broadcom brcmfmac driver is vulnerable to a frame validation bypass
The Broadcom brcmfmac WiFi driver prior to commit a4176ec356c73a46c07c181c6d04039fafa34a9f is vulnerable to a frame validation bypass. If the brcmfmac driver receives a firmware event frame from a remote source, the is_wlc_event_frame function will cause this frame to be discarded and unprocessed. If the driver receives the firmware event frame from the host, the appropriate handler is called. This frame validation can be bypassed if the bus used is USB (for instance by a wifi dongle). This can allow firmware event frames from a remote source to be processed. In the worst case scenario, by sending specially-crafted WiFi packets, a remote, unauthenticated attacker may be able to execute arbitrary code on a vulnerable system. More typically, this vulnerability will result in denial-of-service conditions.
- Published
- Jan 16, 2020
- Updated
- Jun 16, 2026
- EPSS
- 3.3% · 88th percentile
- CWE
- CWE-20
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Report tools
Action score
34
Monitor
Low priority for now.
- CVSS
- 33 / 40 · 8.3 / 10
- CISA KEV
- 0 / 30 · Not listed
- EPSS
- 1 / 30 · 3.3%
CNA vs NVD score
- NVD
- 8.3
- CNA · certcc
- 7.9
- 0.4 point gap
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
The score given by the assigning authority versus NVD’s independent score. A gap means the severity is contested.
Noroxi analysis
No Noroxi analysis for this record yet
We don't hand-write analysis for the hundreds of thousands of vulnerabilities in the database; that wouldn't be honest. For notable, high-impact vulnerabilities our team writes the mechanism, detection and remediation steps.
We use this product, ask for helpAffected systems
| Vendor | Product | CPE |
|---|---|---|
| broadcom | brcmfmac driver | cpe:2.3:a:broadcom:brcmfmac_driver |
| redhat | enterprise linux | cpe:2.3:o:redhat:enterprise_linux |
Affected versions
NVD version ranges (for catalog products). Add the product to your stack with a version and matching uses these.
- broadcom brcmfmac driverall versions
- redhat enterprise linux6.0
- redhat enterprise linux7.0
Versions reported by the vendor
Affected version ranges reported by the assigning authority (certcc). Independent of NVD's CPE analysis and usually ahead of it.
Broadcom brcmfmac WiFi driver
- commit prior to a4176ec356c73a46c07c181c6d04039fafa34a9faffected
Package-level exposure
OSV and GitHub Advisory data: ecosystem, package and range. SBOM matching uses this table.
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected range | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian:12 | linux | before 4.19.37-4 | 4.19.37-4 |
| Debian:8 | linux | before 3.16.68-1 | 3.16.68-1 |
| Debian:8 | linux-4.9 | before 4.9.168-1+deb9u3~deb8u1 | 4.9.168-1+deb9u3~deb8u1 |
| Debian:9 | linux | before 4.9.168-1+deb9u3 | 4.9.168-1+deb9u3 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-debug | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-default | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-docs | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-kvmsmall | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-obs-build | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-obs-qa | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-source | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-syms | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | kernel-vanilla | before 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-debug | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-default | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-docs | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-kvmsmall | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-obs-build | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-obs-qa | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-source | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-syms | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| openSUSE:Leap 15.1 | kernel-vanilla | before 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 | 4.12.14-lp151.28.4.1 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | bpftool | before 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 |
| Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | bpftool-debuginfo | before 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 |
+96
Same product
broadcom: all recordsOther highest-scoring records for the same primary product.
- CVE-2019-9500Broadcom brcmfmac driver is vulnerable to a heap buffer overflow34Monitor
Remediation
Which version to upgrade to
Fix versions compiled from the vendor, package registries and Microsoft. Verify the vendor's note before upgrading.
| Product / package | Fixed version | Source |
|---|---|---|
| debian:linux | 4.19.37-4 · Debian:12 | Package registry (OSV) |
| debian:linux-4.9 | 4.9.168-1+deb9u3~deb8u1 · Debian:8 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-debug | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-default | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-docs | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-kvmsmall | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-obs-build | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-obs-qa | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-source | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-syms | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| opensuse:kernel-vanilla | 4.12.14-lp150.12.61.1 · openSUSE:Leap 15.0 | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:bpftool | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:bpftool-debuginfo | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-abi-whitelists | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-core | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-cross-headers | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug-core | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug-debuginfo | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug-devel | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug-modules | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| red hat:kernel-debug-modules-extra | 0:4.18.0-80.11.1.el8_0 · Red Hat:enterprise_linux:8::baseos | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-azure | 4.12.14-5.27.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-default | 4.12.14-95.16.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-docs | 4.12.14-95.16.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-livepatch-SLE15_Update_10 | 1-1.3.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Live Patching 15 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-obs-build | 4.12.14-95.16.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Software Development Kit 12 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-source | 4.12.14-95.16.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Desktop 12 SP4 | Package registry (OSV) |
| suse:kernel-source-azure | 4.12.14-5.27.1 · SUSE:Linux Enterprise Module for Public Cloud 15 | Package registry (OSV) |
+5
Exploit status
No known public exploit
No public exploit has been observed yet. That doesn't mean you're safe, only that the bar is a little higher.
Research context
For pentesters and researchers: attack profile, score disagreement, timeline, patch commits, credits, variant and chain candidates, bug bounty scope. All derived from existing data; no exploit code.
Timeline
From publication to today: proof of concept, Metasploit module, CISA KEV and fix record. Dates are as reported by the sources.
No dated events beyond publication.
FIRST EPSS daily score; only changes of 0.01 or more are recorded (step chart).
Patch and commit links
Commit, PR and diff links among the references. A starting point for patch-diffing and variant hunting; fixes, not exploits.
Credits
All researchersFinders, reporters and analysts named in the CNA record. Click a name for that researcher’s other records.
No credits in the CNA record.
Variant candidates
Same product, same weakness class, within 18 months. If the patch missed the root cause, the sibling bug is here.
No nightly-computed relations.
Chain candidates
An authentication bypass and a privilege-requiring bug in the same product, published close together: combined they may become an unauthenticated path.
—
Bug bounty scope
No known public program.
Source: bounty-targets-data (public HackerOne, Bugcrowd, Intigriti, YesWeHack listings).
Technical details
Attack conditions
- Someone on the same network segment can trigger it.
- No account or password is required.
- No user action is required.
- Special conditions such as timing or configuration are required.
If successful
- Confidentiality
- high · data can be read
- Integrity
- high · data or configuration can be modified
- Availability
- high · the service can be disrupted
Impact can extend beyond the vulnerable component (scope changes).
- Attack vector
- Adjacent
- Attack complexity
- High
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Changed
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
Weakness class (CWE)
CWE-20 · Improper Input ValidationCVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
nvd-primary
Attack context
MITRE CAPEC attack patterns and ATT&CK techniques for this weakness class (CWE). A starting point for detection rules and threat hunting.
Attack patterns (CAPEC)
- Buffer Overflow via Environment VariablesCAPEC-10likelihood: High · High
- Server Side Include (SSI) InjectionCAPEC-101likelihood: High · High
- Cross Zone ScriptingCAPEC-104likelihood: Medium · High
- Command Line Execution through SQL InjectionCAPEC-108likelihood: Low · Very High
- Object Relational Mapping InjectionCAPEC-109likelihood: Low · High
- SQL Injection through SOAP Parameter TamperingCAPEC-110likelihood: High · Very High
- Double EncodingCAPEC-120likelihood: Low · Medium
- Subverting Environment Variable ValuesCAPEC-13likelihood: High · Very High
ATT&CK techniques
- Obfuscated Files or InformationT1027
- Masquerading: Invalid Code SignatureT1036.001
- Steal Web Session CookieT1539
- Subvert Trust Controls: Code SigningT1553.002
- Impair Defenses:Impair Command History LoggingT1562.003
- Hijack Execution Flow:Dynamic Linker HijackingT1574.006
- Hijack Execution Flow:Path Interception by PATH Environment VariableT1574.007
Change log
- Fix✗ → ✓
For records you follow, these changes also arrive as notifications. →
References
- blog.quarkslab.com/reverse-engineering-broadcom-wireless-chipsets.html
- bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1701842
- bugzilla.suse.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1132828
- git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=a4176ec356c73a46c07c181c6d04039fafa34a9f
- kb.cert.org/vuls/id/166939/
- people.canonical.com/~ubuntu-security/cve/2019/CVE-2019-9503.html
- security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2019-9503
Vendor advisories and official records. Exploit/PoC links are deliberately left out.