CVE-2010-2977 in Unified Wireless Network Solution Software
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Unified Wireless Network (UWN) Solution 7.x before 7.0.98.0 does not properly implement TLS and SSL, which has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors, aka Bug ID CSCtd01611.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2977 affects Cisco Unified Wireless Network Solution version 7.x prior to 7.0.98.0, representing a critical weakness in the implementation of Transport Layer Security and Secure Sockets Layer protocols. This flaw exists within the wireless network infrastructure components that handle secure communications between wireless devices and network controllers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate cryptographic protocol handling that fails to properly establish secure connections, creating potential exposure points for malicious actors. The unspecified impact and remote attack vectors indicate that this weakness could be exploited from outside the network perimeter, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive wireless network communications. The bug ID CSCtd01611 further emphasizes the severity and specific nature of the cryptographic implementation failure within Cisco's wireless networking solutions.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper implementation of TLS and SSL cryptographic protocols within the wireless network infrastructure. This cryptographic weakness likely involves inadequate certificate validation procedures, weak encryption cipher suites, or flawed handshake mechanisms that allow attackers to intercept, modify, or impersonate wireless network communications. The vulnerability creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks where malicious actors can establish fraudulent connections with wireless devices or network controllers, potentially gaining access to sensitive data transmitted over the wireless network. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles of secure communication channels and could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of wireless network services. The implementation issues may include failure to properly validate server certificates, use of deprecated cryptographic algorithms, or inadequate key exchange mechanisms that weaken the overall security posture of the wireless infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple cryptographic weakness to encompass significant risks to wireless network security and business continuity. Remote exploitation of this vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to wireless network resources, potentially leading to complete network compromise or data breaches. Organizations relying on Cisco UWN Solution 7.x versions before 7.0.98.0 face exposure to various attack vectors including eavesdropping on wireless communications, unauthorized network access, and potential disruption of wireless services. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the network infrastructure, making the threat more pervasive and harder to contain. This weakness could particularly impact organizations in sectors requiring high security standards such as financial services, healthcare, or government agencies where wireless network communications contain sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2977 should prioritize immediate remediation through software updates to Cisco UWN Solution 7.0.98.0 or later versions that address the cryptographic implementation flaws. Network administrators must ensure comprehensive patch management procedures are implemented to update all affected wireless controllers and access points. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity, and conducting regular security assessments of wireless network configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms beyond the vulnerable TLS/SSL implementations, such as 802.1X authentication with strong credentials, and establish monitoring protocols for detecting potential man-in-the-middle attacks. The remediation process should follow industry best practices for vulnerability management and include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure continued network stability and functionality. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310 and CWE-326 categories related to cryptographic weaknesses and improper encryption implementation, and represents a significant concern for adversaries following ATT&CK tactics including credential access and initial access phases.