CVE-2016-9195 in Wireless LAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in RADIUS Change of Authorization (CoA) request processing in the Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by disconnecting a single connection. This vulnerability affects Cisco Wireless LAN Controller running software release 8.3.102.0. More Information: CSCvb01835. Known Fixed Releases: 8.4(1.49) 8.3(111.0) 8.3(108.0) 8.3(104.24) 8.3(102.3).
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9195 represents a critical denial of service weakness in Cisco Wireless LAN Controller systems that specifically impacts the RADIUS Change of Authorization (CoA) request processing functionality. This flaw exists within the wireless infrastructure management software and affects devices running Cisco WLC software release 8.3.102.0, creating a significant operational risk for organizations relying on wireless network services. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of CoA requests within the RADIUS protocol implementation, which governs network access control and authorization processes in wireless environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted RADIUS CoA request that can be transmitted by an unauthenticated remote attacker without requiring any prior network credentials or access privileges. When processed by the affected WLC software, this malicious request triggers an internal error condition that results in the disconnection of a single network connection, effectively disrupting wireless access for authenticated users. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer over-read or improper input validation issue where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize incoming CoA request parameters before processing them within the authorization framework. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and represents a failure in the software's defensive programming practices.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9195 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the reliability and availability of critical wireless infrastructure within enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing affected Cisco WLC versions may experience unexpected disconnections of wireless clients, leading to productivity losses and potential business continuity issues. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these systems from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or network credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed wireless infrastructure. Network administrators may observe sudden loss of wireless connectivity for users, which can be challenging to diagnose since the disruption appears to originate from legitimate network traffic rather than obvious malicious activity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate software updates to the fixed releases specified in the advisory, including versions 8.4(1.49), 8.3(111.0), 8.3(108.0), 8.3(104.24), and 8.3(102.3). Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected WLC devices within their network infrastructure and prioritize patching activities based on risk exposure. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential attack vectors, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in RADIUS CoA request traffic. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving denial of service attacks and network service disruption, with potential for lateral movement if attackers can leverage the disruption to gain additional network access. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure network protocol implementation and the need for proper input validation in critical infrastructure components, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for information security controls.