CVE-2013-3441 in Aironet 3600 Wireless LAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Aironet 3600 access points allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory corruption and device crash) by disrupting Cisco Wireless LAN Controller communication and consequently forcing many transitions from FlexConnect mode to Standalone mode, aka Bug ID CSCuh71210.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-3441 affects Cisco Aironet 3600 series wireless access points and represents a significant denial of service weakness that can be exploited remotely to cause system instability and complete device failure. This flaw manifests when attackers manipulate the communication between the access point and the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller, specifically targeting the transition mechanisms between different operational modes. The vulnerability operates through a sophisticated exploitation vector that leverages the device's FlexConnect and Standalone mode switching capabilities, creating a cascade of memory corruption events that ultimately result in device crashes and service disruption. The root cause lies in the insufficient validation and handling of transition conditions that occur during wireless network management operations, particularly when network connectivity issues force automatic mode switching behaviors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a specific weakness in the access point's firmware handling of wireless controller communication failures. When the Wireless LAN Controller communication is disrupted, the access point enters a problematic state where it repeatedly transitions between FlexConnect mode, which allows centralized management and control, and Standalone mode, where the device operates independently without controller coordination. This constant switching creates memory allocation and deallocation patterns that lead to memory corruption, heap corruption, and ultimately system crashes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal attacker interaction beyond disrupting the controller connection, making it an effective vector for unauthorized service disruption. The flaw demonstrates poor state management and error handling within the device's operational mode transition logic, where the system fails to properly validate transition conditions or maintain stable memory structures during rapid mode changes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to represent a potential security risk that could be exploited in targeted attacks against wireless network infrastructure. Organizations relying on Cisco Aironet 3600 access points for critical wireless operations face significant risk of unauthorized denial of service attacks that could compromise network availability and business continuity. The vulnerability affects wireless network performance by causing intermittent access point failures, which can lead to user connectivity issues, network segmentation problems, and potential data loss during critical operations. Network administrators may experience difficulty in maintaining consistent wireless service availability, particularly in environments where wireless access points are critical for business operations. The vulnerability also creates operational overhead as network teams must monitor for and respond to device crashes, potentially requiring manual intervention to restore service, and may necessitate emergency maintenance procedures during attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3441 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attackers' ability to disrupt controller communications, while also ensuring robust network monitoring for unusual communication patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. Cisco recommends applying the appropriate firmware updates and patches that address the memory handling issues in the mode transition logic, which typically involve improved validation of transition conditions and enhanced error handling mechanisms. Network administrators should also consider implementing redundant controller configurations and failover mechanisms to minimize the impact of communication disruptions that could trigger the vulnerability. The mitigation approach aligns with cybersecurity frameworks such as the CWE-129 weakness category for improper input validation and the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network disruption attacks, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and resilient network design to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.