CVE-2012-5991 in 2100 Wireless LAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
screens/base/web_auth_custom.html on Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices with software 7.2.110.0 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a certain buttonClicked value in an internal webauth_type request, aka Bug ID CSCud50209.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2012-5991 affects Cisco Wireless LAN Controller devices running software version 7.2.110.0 and potentially other versions within the 7.2.x release series. This issue resides in the screens/base/web_auth_custom.html component of the web interface, which handles authentication processes for wireless network access. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation flaw that occurs during the processing of web authentication requests, specifically when handling the buttonClicked parameter within internal webauth_type requests.
The technical flaw manifests when an authenticated attacker sends a specially crafted HTTP request containing a malformed buttonClicked value to the web authentication endpoint. This parameter is processed without proper input sanitization or bounds checking, allowing the attacker to manipulate the internal state of the authentication system. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack and leverages the fact that the web interface does not adequately validate user-supplied input before processing it within the authentication flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation appears to be more related to improper input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables a remote authenticated attacker to trigger a device reload or complete system reboot. This denial of service condition effectively disrupts wireless network services, potentially affecting hundreds or thousands of connected devices depending on the network size and configuration. The attack requires only authentication credentials to the wireless network, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or attackers who have obtained valid user credentials. The device reload causes temporary disruption to wireless services, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations and potentially leading to extended network downtime if not properly mitigated.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Cisco, which address the input validation issues in the web authentication component. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the wireless controller management interfaces. Monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication request patterns or attempts to manipulate web parameters. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploiting weaknesses in remote services. Additionally, implementing network access control lists and restricting administrative access to wireless controllers can reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network components, as this vulnerability type is commonly found in web applications that do not properly validate user input before processing internal operations.