CVE-2012-1350 in IOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco IOS 12.3 and 12.4 on Aironet access points allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (radio-interface input-queue hang) via IAPP 0x3281 packets, aka Bug ID CSCtc12426.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1350 affects Cisco IOS versions 12.3 and 12.4 running on Aironet access points, representing a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely. This flaw specifically targets the radio interface input queue mechanism within the wireless access point infrastructure, creating a condition where legitimate network operations can be disrupted through carefully crafted malicious packets. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the fundamental operational capabilities of wireless networks, potentially compromising enterprise and institutional wireless connectivity.
The technical exploitation occurs through the transmission of IAPP 0x3281 packets, which are part of the Inter-Access Point Protocol used for communication between wireless access points. These packets contain specific data structures that, when processed by vulnerable Cisco IOS versions, trigger an input queue hang condition on the radio interface. This condition prevents the access point from properly handling subsequent network traffic, effectively causing a denial of service that can persist until the device is manually rebooted or the problematic packet processing is resolved. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overrun or input validation issue where the system fails to properly validate or handle malformed packet data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network disruption, as it can affect business continuity and wireless network availability for organizations relying on Cisco Aironet access points. When exploited, the radio interface input queue hang can render wireless access points completely non-functional, impacting thousands of users simultaneously depending on the network topology. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise wireless networks where access points are deployed in high-density environments, creating cascading effects that can compromise entire wireless domains. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or elevated privileges within the system.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates, which address the input validation issues in the IAPP packet processing code. Network segmentation strategies can help limit the scope of potential exploitation by isolating vulnerable access points from critical network segments. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous IAPP packet traffic patterns provides early warning capabilities for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.002 for network denial of service attacks. Regular network vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses in network infrastructure components.