CVE-2016-6361 in Aironet
Summary
by MITRE
The Aggregated MAC Protocol Data Unit (AMPDU) implementation on Cisco Aironet 1800, 2800, and 3800 devices with software before 8.2.121.0 and 8.3.x before 8.3.102.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reload) via a crafted AMPDU header, aka Bug ID CSCuz56288.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2016-6361 represents a critical denial of service flaw within Cisco's wireless networking infrastructure, specifically affecting Aironet 1800, 2800, and 3800 series access points. This issue stems from improper handling of Aggregated MAC Protocol Data Unit frames, which are essential components in wireless communication protocols designed to improve throughput by combining multiple data frames into single transmissions. The vulnerability exists in the firmware implementations of these devices prior to specific software versions, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the system through carefully crafted AMPDU headers that trigger unexpected device behavior.
The technical flaw manifests in the way these wireless access points process incoming AMPDU frames, where the device fails to properly validate or sanitize the header information contained within these aggregated data units. When a malicious actor sends a specially crafted AMPDU header, the device's processing logic becomes overwhelmed or encounters malformed data that causes the system to crash or reboot unexpectedly. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which encompasses issues related to improper validation of input data, specifically addressing the lack of proper bounds checking and input sanitization in network protocol implementations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows for remote exploitation without requiring authentication, making it accessible to any attacker within the wireless range of the affected device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as device reloads can result in significant network downtime and potential loss of connectivity for all wireless clients within the affected access point's coverage area. In enterprise environments where these devices serve as critical network infrastructure components, such denial of service attacks can lead to substantial operational disruptions, affecting business continuity and potentially compromising the availability of wireless services for critical applications. The vulnerability affects multiple device series and software versions, indicating a widespread issue that required coordinated patching efforts across Cisco's product portfolio, with affected devices needing to be upgraded to versions 8.2.121.0 or 8.3.102.0 to mitigate the risk.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of the applicable Cisco software patches, which address the input validation issues in the AMPDU processing logic and implement proper bounds checking for header fields. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify suspicious wireless traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques related to service disruption and resource exhaustion, specifically targeting the availability aspect of the CIA triad. Organizations should also review their wireless network configurations and consider implementing network segmentation strategies to limit the potential impact of such attacks, ensuring that wireless infrastructure components are properly isolated and that access controls are maintained to prevent unauthorized modification of network device configurations.