CVE-2010-0574 in Wireless LAN Controller Software
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) software 3.2 before 3.2.215.0; 4.1 and 4.2 before 4.2.205.0; 4.1M and 4.2M before 4.2.207.54M; 5.0, 5.1, and 6.0 before 6.0.188.0; and 5.2 before 5.2.193.11 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted IKE packet, aka Bug ID CSCta56653.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-0574 represents a critical denial of service weakness affecting Cisco Wireless LAN Controller software across multiple version lines including 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.0, 5.1, 5.2, and 6.0. This flaw specifically targets the IKE (Internet Key Exchange) protocol implementation within the wireless controller infrastructure, creating a pathway for remote attackers to disrupt network operations through carefully crafted malicious packets. The vulnerability impacts organizations relying on Cisco WLC appliances for wireless network management, potentially affecting thousands of devices deployed in enterprise and campus network environments. The issue was identified as Bug ID CSCta56653, indicating a specific software defect within Cisco's internal tracking systems that required immediate attention and patching.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of IKE packets by the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller software, which fails to adequately validate or sanitize incoming packets before processing them within the wireless controller's security framework. When a maliciously crafted IKE packet is received, the system does not properly handle the malformed data structure, leading to an unexpected system state that ultimately results in the device performing an automatic reload or reboot. This behavior constitutes a classic denial of service condition where legitimate network operations are interrupted, requiring manual intervention to restore service and potentially causing significant disruption to wireless connectivity for end users. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level, specifically targeting the IKE negotiation process used for establishing secure communications between wireless access points and controllers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to enterprise wireless networks since it allows remote attackers to cause service disruption without requiring authentication or physical access to the affected devices. The impact extends beyond simple connectivity issues as device reloads can interrupt ongoing wireless sessions, potentially affecting business operations and user productivity. Organizations with extensive wireless deployments may experience cascading failures if multiple controllers are affected simultaneously, particularly in large enterprise environments where wireless infrastructure serves critical business applications. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target affected systems from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed wireless infrastructure or those using default configurations that leave management interfaces accessible from external networks.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions that can lead to denial of service, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. The most effective mitigation strategy involves applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the IKE packet handling flaw, specifically targeting the version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring to detect unusual traffic patterns or repeated device reloads that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider network segmentation to limit exposure of wireless controllers to untrusted networks, and implement proper access controls to restrict management interface access to authorized personnel only. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits of wireless infrastructure are essential to identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.