CVE-2016-1418 in Aironet Access Point
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Aironet Access Point Software 8.2(100.0) on 1830e, 1830i, 1850e, 1850i, 2800, and 3800 access points allows local users to obtain Linux root access via crafted CLI command parameters, aka Bug ID CSCuy64037.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1418 affects Cisco Aironet Access Point software versions 8.2(100.0) running on specific hardware platforms including 1830e, 1830i, 1850e, 1850i, 2800, and 3800 access points. This represents a critical local privilege escalation flaw that enables authenticated local users to gain root access to the underlying Linux operating system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the command line interface implementation, specifically when processing crafted command parameters that are not adequately sanitized or validated before execution. This issue falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-20, which encompasses weaknesses related to improper input validation and command injection vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of CLI command parameters that are processed by the access point's Linux kernel interface. When a local user submits specifically crafted input to the command line interface, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the parameters before executing them within the Linux environment. This allows the malicious input to be interpreted and executed with elevated privileges, ultimately providing root access to the underlying operating system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only local authentication to exploit, meaning any user with access to the device's command line interface can potentially escalate their privileges to full system root access. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes local privilege escalation through the exploitation of system vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1418 is severe and multifaceted for organizations relying on Cisco Aironet access points. Once an attacker gains root access to the device, they can fully compromise the access point's functionality, potentially disrupting wireless network services, accessing sensitive network data, or using the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects enterprise wireless networks where these access points are commonly deployed, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized control over critical network access points. Additionally, the root access gained through this vulnerability could enable attackers to modify system configurations, install backdoors, or exfiltrate network credentials and sensitive data from the wireless infrastructure. Organizations may face significant operational disruption and security breaches if this vulnerability is exploited in environments where wireless access points serve as critical network components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1418 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches provided by Cisco to address the specific vulnerability. Organizations must ensure that all affected access point models are updated to versions that properly validate and sanitize CLI command parameters before execution. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor command line interface usage to detect potential exploitation attempts. The implementation of least privilege principles for local user accounts and regular security audits of access point configurations can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be employed to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. Security teams should also consider implementing network access control measures that limit local access to these devices and establish robust logging mechanisms to track CLI usage and identify potential privilege escalation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of wireless infrastructure are essential to identify similar weaknesses in other network components and maintain overall network security posture.