CVE-2001-0161 in Aironet
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco 340-series Aironet access point using firmware 11.01 does not use 6 of the 24 available IV bits for WEP encryption, which makes it easier for remote attackers to mount brute force attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/28/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0161 affects Cisco 340-series Aironet wireless access points operating with firmware version 11.01, representing a critical weakness in wireless network security implementation. This flaw specifically impacts the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption protocol that was widely adopted during the early 2000s for securing wireless communications. The vulnerability stems from the improper implementation of the initialization vector (IV) component within the WEP algorithm, where only 18 of the 24 available IV bits are utilized for encryption purposes. This reduction in IV entropy creates a significant security gap that directly violates the fundamental principles of cryptographic security as outlined in industry standards such as CWE-327, which addresses the use of weak cryptographic algorithms and improper implementation of encryption protocols.
The technical flaw manifests in the deterministic nature of WEP encryption where the limited IV space of 6 bits results in rapid IV reuse patterns, making the wireless network susceptible to various attack vectors including the well-known WEP cracking techniques. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through passive monitoring of network traffic to capture sufficient IV values and subsequently perform statistical analysis to deduce the encryption key. The reduced IV space significantly decreases the computational complexity required for brute force attacks, as demonstrated by the mathematical principles of cryptanalysis and the known weaknesses in WEP's design. This weakness directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which covers network service scanning and T1041 which addresses data from network shared drives, as the compromised access point creates an attack surface that allows for lateral movement and data exfiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network eavesdropping, as successful exploitation can lead to complete network compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data transmitted over the wireless network. Organizations utilizing affected Cisco 340-series access points face significant risk of unauthorized network penetration, especially in environments where wireless security is considered sufficient for protecting confidential information. The vulnerability particularly affects enterprise wireless networks that were common during the early 2000s, where the combination of weak encryption and the widespread adoption of WEP made these networks highly susceptible to attacks. The security implications are compounded by the fact that WEP was designed to be compatible with existing hardware while providing minimal security assurances, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where wireless communications are critical to business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-0161 involve immediate firmware upgrades to versions that properly implement the full IV space and adoption of more robust encryption protocols such as WPA2 or WPA3. Network administrators should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while also transitioning away from WEP encryption entirely. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and the necessity of adhering to established security standards such as those defined in NIST SP 800-46 for wireless security guidelines. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and additional security controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation, while regularly auditing wireless network configurations to ensure compliance with current security best practices and standards.