CVE-2015-0723 in Wireless LAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The wireless web-authentication subsystem on Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices 7.5.x and 7.6.x before 7.6.120 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (process crash and device restart) via a crafted value, aka Bug ID CSCum03269.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0723 affects Cisco Wireless LAN Controller devices running software versions 7.5.x and 7.6.x before 7.6.120, specifically targeting the wireless web-authentication subsystem. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack against affected wireless infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests through the processing of crafted values within the web-authentication framework, leading to process crashes and subsequent device restarts that disrupt wireless network connectivity for authorized users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper validation and handling of input parameters within the wireless web-authentication subsystem. When a malicious actor sends specially crafted authentication requests or web-based authentication parameters to the affected WLC devices, the system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before processing them within the authentication workflow. This lack of proper input validation creates a condition where malformed or unexpected data can trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion within the authentication process, ultimately causing the system to crash and restart automatically. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as a weakness involving improper input validation, specifically manifesting as an input validation flaw that leads to process termination.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0723 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render wireless networks unavailable to legitimate users and potentially provide attackers with a means to maintain persistent network disruption. Organizations relying on Cisco WLC devices for wireless infrastructure management face significant operational challenges when this vulnerability is exploited, as the automatic device restarts can occur without administrator intervention, leading to extended periods of wireless service unavailability. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to execute, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can reach the wireless controller's web interface. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.002 for network disruption and can be categorized under the broader category of denial of service attacks that target network infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0723 primarily focus on applying the vendor-provided security patches and updates that address the input validation weakness in the wireless web-authentication subsystem. Cisco released software updates specifically addressing this vulnerability in version 7.6.120 and later releases, which implement proper input sanitization and validation mechanisms to prevent the exploitation of crafted values. Network administrators should immediately upgrade affected WLC devices to patched software versions and verify that the updates have been successfully applied. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to the wireless controller's web interface, configuring access control lists to restrict web authentication traffic, and monitoring network logs for unusual authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date network infrastructure software and implementing proper input validation practices in authentication systems to prevent similar issues from affecting wireless network availability and security posture.