CVE-2015-6258 in Wireless LAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
The Internet Access Point Protocol (IAPP) module on Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices with software 8.1(104.37) allows remote attackers to trigger incorrect traffic forwarding via crafted IPv6 packets, aka Bug ID CSCuv40033.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-6258 affects Cisco Wireless LAN Controller devices running software version 8.1(104.37) and specifically targets the Internet Access Point Protocol module. This issue represents a significant security flaw that could potentially allow unauthorized users to manipulate network traffic flow within wireless infrastructure deployments. The vulnerability exists within the IAPP module which is responsible for managing communication between wireless access points and the wireless controller, creating a potential attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of crafted IPv6 packets within the IAPP module's traffic forwarding mechanisms. When malformed or specially constructed IPv6 packets are received by the affected Cisco WLC devices, the system fails to properly validate the packet structure and forwarding decisions, leading to incorrect traffic routing behavior. This misconfiguration in packet processing creates a condition where legitimate network traffic could be redirected or intercepted by malicious actors who exploit this vulnerability. The issue demonstrates a classic weakness in input validation and packet processing that falls under the category of improper handling of network protocols.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple traffic disruption to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within wireless network environments. Remote attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability could manipulate traffic flow to redirect wireless client communications, potentially enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, or traffic interception. This could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of wireless communications within enterprise networks where Cisco WLC devices are deployed. The vulnerability affects wireless infrastructure security posture and could be particularly dangerous in environments where wireless networks handle sensitive data or critical business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-6258 should include immediate software updates to the latest available versions of Cisco WLC software that address this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited scope, and could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Organizations should also consider implementing additional network monitoring controls and firewall rules to limit exposure while patches are deployed, as the vulnerability specifically targets remote attack vectors that do not require physical access to the affected devices.