CVE-2016-1328 in EPC3928
Summary
by MITRE
goform/WClientMACList on Cisco EPC3928 devices allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device crash) via a long h_sortWireless parameter, related to a "Gateway Client List Denial of Service" issue, aka Bug ID CSCux24948.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1328 affects Cisco EPC3928 gateway devices and represents a significant denial of service weakness in the web-based management interface. This issue manifests through the goform/WClientMACList functionality where a specially crafted long h_sortWireless parameter can trigger a device crash, effectively rendering the network gateway unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when the system fails to properly handle input data of excessive length, leading to memory corruption and subsequent system instability. The specific Bug ID CSCux24948 indicates this was a documented issue within Cisco's internal tracking system, highlighting the organization's awareness of the problem and its potential impact on network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a web-based attack vector where remote attackers can submit malicious input parameters to the affected web interface. When the device processes the excessively long h_sortWireless parameter, it fails to implement proper input validation or length restrictions, causing the system to allocate insufficient memory buffers for processing the data. This memory management failure results in a buffer overflow condition that corrupts adjacent memory locations and ultimately leads to the device crashing and requiring manual reboot to restore functionality. The attack does not require authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as any remote user can potentially exploit this weakness to disrupt network services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise network availability and business continuity for organizations relying on Cisco EPC3928 devices. Network administrators may experience unexpected downtime when the device crashes, requiring manual intervention to restore service and potentially affecting multiple users who depend on the gateway for internet connectivity. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique for Network Denial of Service indicates that adversaries can leverage this weakness to create persistent service disruptions. Organizations using these devices may face increased operational overhead as IT teams must monitor for and respond to device crashes, potentially leading to extended downtime and service degradation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1328 should focus on implementing proper input validation and length restrictions on the affected web interface parameters. Network administrators should immediately apply Cisco's security advisories and firmware updates that address this specific buffer overflow condition. The implementation of web application firewalls can help filter out malicious input parameters before they reach the vulnerable interface. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the affected device to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other network equipment, ensuring comprehensive protection against related vulnerabilities. Organizations should also maintain detailed incident response procedures for handling device crashes and implement automated monitoring systems to detect and alert on potential exploitation attempts.