CVE-2016-1362 in AireOS
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco AireOS 4.1 through 7.4.120.0, 7.5.x, and 7.6.100.0 on Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) devices allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted HTTP request, aka Bug ID CSCun86747.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
Cisco AireOS wireless LAN controller software versions 4.1 through 7.4.120.0, 7.5.x, and 7.6.100.0 contain a vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack resulting in device reload. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the HTTP processing component of the wireless controller software. The flaw specifically manifests when the system receives a specially crafted HTTP request that triggers an improper handling of malformed data within the web server implementation. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that occurs during HTTP request parsing, leading to an abrupt system restart. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which represents Buffer Overflow in the stack, or CWE-122, which covers Buffer Overflow in the heap, depending on the specific implementation details of the memory corruption. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as the device reload can cause temporary loss of wireless network connectivity for all connected clients, potentially affecting critical business operations or emergency communication systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network denial of service attacks through device or service restarts, and represents a significant risk to wireless infrastructure availability. The affected Cisco Wireless LAN Controller devices include models running the specified AireOS versions, which were widely deployed in enterprise environments for wireless network management. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in extended downtime for wireless networks, requiring manual intervention to restore service. Organizations relying on these wireless controllers for business-critical operations face potential operational disruption and increased maintenance overhead. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the HTTP server implementation that fails to properly sanitize incoming requests before processing them, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt network services. This issue highlights the importance of input validation and proper error handling in network service implementations, particularly in mission-critical infrastructure components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting an HTTP request that contains malformed data structures or excessive input that causes the web server component to overflow memory buffers or corrupt internal data structures. When the wireless controller processes this malformed request, the system's failure handling mechanism triggers an automatic device restart or reload to recover from the corrupted state. The vulnerability represents a classic example of improper input validation where the system does not adequately check the length or content of incoming HTTP headers or parameters before processing them. This weakness allows attackers to bypass normal access controls and execute arbitrary code or force system-level operations through the HTTP interface. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any remote user can potentially trigger this denial of service condition, making it particularly concerning for publicly accessible wireless networks. The vulnerability affects the core wireless controller functionality and can result in complete network outages until manual intervention restores the device from the reload state. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation, access control lists, and application layer firewalls to prevent unauthorized access to the HTTP management interfaces of affected devices. Regular firmware updates and patch management procedures are essential to address this vulnerability and prevent similar issues in the future, as the flaw represents a fundamental design weakness in the software's request handling capabilities.