CVE-2016-6362 in Aironet
Summary
by MITRE
Cisco Aironet 1800, 2800, and 3800 devices with software before 8.2.110.0, 8.2.12x before 8.2.121.0, and 8.3.x before 8.3.102.0 allow local users to gain privileges via crafted CLI parameters, aka Bug ID CSCuz24725.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/14/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2016-6362 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw affecting Cisco Aironet wireless access point devices including models 1800, 2800, and 3800 series. This vulnerability specifically impacts devices running firmware versions prior to the mentioned security patches, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these wireless infrastructure components. The flaw exists within the command line interface processing mechanisms of these devices, allowing local authenticated users to exploit a design weakness that bypasses normal privilege controls. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation issue where an attacker with legitimate access to the device can manipulate CLI parameters to elevate their privileges from standard user level to administrative access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and parameter handling within the Cisco Aironet device command line interface implementation. When local users submit crafted CLI parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them, leading to unexpected behavior that can be exploited to gain elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic case of command injection or parameter manipulation that allows unauthorized privilege elevation. The vulnerability specifically affects devices running software versions that have not been patched, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device firmware updates are delayed or not properly managed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides local attackers with the ability to escalate privileges on wireless access points that are often deployed in critical network infrastructure locations. These devices typically serve as gateways for wireless network access and may contain sensitive configuration data, authentication credentials, and network access controls. An attacker who gains administrative access to such devices can potentially intercept wireless traffic, modify network configurations, disable security features, or establish persistent access points for further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects both wired and wireless network segments, potentially allowing attackers to move laterally within the network or compromise connected systems. This risk is compounded by the fact that these devices are often deployed in locations where physical access might be limited, making detection and remediation more challenging.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant security patches provided by Cisco to address this vulnerability. The affected software versions require updating to 8.2.110.0, 8.2.121.0, or 8.3.102.0 respectively, depending on the device series and current firmware version. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit local administrative access to these devices, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous CLI usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing the principle of least privilege for local user accounts and regularly reviewing access logs can help identify potential compromise. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation', and represents a clear example of how local privilege escalation vulnerabilities can be leveraged to gain unauthorized administrative control over critical network infrastructure components.