CVE-2001-0619 in Orinoco
Summary
by MITRE
The Lucent Closed Network protocol can allow remote attackers to join Closed Network networks which they do not have access to. The Network Name or SSID, which is used as a shared secret to join the network, is transmitted in the clear.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2001-0619 represents a critical weakness in the Lucent Closed Network protocol implementation that fundamentally compromises network security through clear-text transmission of authentication credentials. This flaw exists within wireless network communication standards where the network name or service set identifier SSID serves as the primary authentication mechanism for accessing closed networks. The protocol design fails to implement proper cryptographic protection for this critical network identifier, creating an inherent security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests in the protocol's handling of network authentication where the SSID is transmitted in plaintext format across the wireless medium without any form of encryption or obfuscation. This clear-text transmission occurs during the network discovery and connection process, making the network identifier immediately accessible to any attacker within radio range who can capture wireless traffic. The vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles of credential protection and represents a classic example of weak authentication mechanisms where shared secrets are exposed through insecure transmission channels. This weakness enables unauthorized network access through passive reconnaissance and traffic interception techniques.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to closed wireless networks without requiring additional credentials or sophisticated attack vectors. The attacker can simply capture the network name from wireless traffic and use it to join the network, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. This creates a scenario where networks that should be protected through authentication become publicly accessible to anyone who can monitor the wireless spectrum. The vulnerability affects all implementations of the Lucent Closed Network protocol that rely on SSID-based authentication without additional security measures, potentially compromising entire wireless infrastructure deployments.
The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential man-in-the-middle attacks and network reconnaissance activities that could lead to more sophisticated exploitation. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform network mapping, identify target networks, and potentially escalate privileges through subsequent attacks on connected systems. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, representing a fundamental failure in implementing secure communication protocols. The attack surface is significantly expanded due to the passive nature of the exploitation, requiring no active interaction with network devices or users.
Recommended mitigations include implementing robust encryption protocols such as WPA2 or WPA3 to protect network authentication information, ensuring that SSID information is not transmitted in plaintext, and deploying additional network access controls beyond simple SSID-based authentication. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, strong authentication mechanisms, and continuous monitoring of wireless network traffic to detect unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following established security frameworks and standards such as those defined in the NIST Special Publication 800-46 for wireless security, which emphasizes the need for proper cryptographic implementation in wireless network protocols to prevent clear-text credential exposure.