CVE-2015-1348 in Instant Access Point
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Aruba Instant (IAP) with firmware before 4.0.0.7 and 4.1.x before 4.1.1.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash or reset to factory default) via a malformed frame to the wireless interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1348 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting Aruba Instant Access Points (IAP) firmware versions prior to 4.0.0.7 and 4.1.x versions before 4.1.1.2. This flaw exists within the wireless interface processing logic where the system fails to properly validate incoming frame data, creating an exploitable condition that can be remotely triggered by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the IAP receives malformed wireless frames that exceed the allocated heap buffer boundaries, leading to unpredictable memory corruption patterns. The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates at the wireless interface level, making it accessible to remote attackers within the wireless network range without requiring physical access or authentication credentials. This class of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to achieve system compromise, and T1499.004, which encompasses network denial of service attacks targeting wireless infrastructure components. The impact of exploitation results in either a complete system crash requiring manual intervention or an automatic reset to factory default settings, effectively removing all configured parameters and network credentials from the affected device. This operational disruption can severely impact network availability and require significant administrative overhead to restore normal operations. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation mechanisms within the wireless protocol stack, where the system assumes all incoming frames conform to expected formats without proper sanitization checks. The heap corruption occurs during the parsing of wireless management frames, particularly affecting the processing of beacon frames or other control messages that are routinely transmitted within wireless networks. Network administrators face significant challenges in identifying and mitigating this vulnerability due to its remote nature and the difficulty in distinguishing legitimate wireless traffic from malicious payloads. The exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated using readily available wireless packet crafting tools, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless infrastructure security is not adequately prioritized.
The security implications extend beyond simple denial of service as the buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks that could potentially escalate to full system compromise. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that memory corruption can affect critical system structures, including pointers and control data that govern the device's operational behavior. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt network operations or establish persistent access points within wireless environments. The affected firmware versions represent a substantial portion of deployed Aruba IAP installations, making this vulnerability a widespread concern for enterprise wireless networks. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any attacker within wireless range can potentially trigger the vulnerability, regardless of network security posture or access controls. Organizations using affected firmware versions must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their network architecture, as wireless infrastructure devices often serve as critical components in network segmentation and security enforcement. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular firmware updates and security patch management programs, particularly for wireless infrastructure components that may be overlooked in traditional security monitoring processes. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability could potentially violate various security standards including iso 27001, nist 800-53, and pci dss requirements for maintaining secure network infrastructure. The technical characteristics of the vulnerability make it particularly challenging to detect through standard network monitoring tools, as the malicious frames may appear legitimate to network security systems that do not perform deep inspection of wireless protocol structures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1348 should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades to versions 4.0.0.7 or 4.1.1.2, which contain the necessary patches to address the heap buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and wireless access control measures to limit the potential impact of exploitation, including disabling unnecessary wireless services and implementing robust authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability requires careful monitoring of wireless network traffic for anomalous frame patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on beacon frames and other management messages that are most likely to trigger the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor wireless protocol anomalies and potential exploitation attempts. The patching process must be carefully planned to avoid service disruption, as the firmware updates may require device restarts or reconfiguration of wireless parameters. Security teams should conduct thorough testing of patched firmware in controlled environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing network configurations and avoid unexpected operational issues. Additional defensive measures include implementing wireless network monitoring tools that can detect and alert on malformed wireless frames, establishing incident response procedures for wireless infrastructure compromise, and maintaining detailed documentation of wireless network configurations for rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for all network infrastructure components, particularly those operating in wireless environments where physical security controls are inherently limited. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of wireless networks should include specific evaluation of firmware versions and known vulnerabilities to ensure comprehensive security posture maintenance. The technical flaw represents a fundamental weakness in wireless protocol implementation that requires ongoing vigilance and proactive security measures to prevent exploitation and maintain network integrity across affected deployments.