CVE-2017-12282 in Wireless LAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) ingress frame processing functionality of Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers could allow an unauthenticated, Layer 2 RF-adjacent attacker to cause an affected device to restart unexpectedly, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is due to incomplete input validation of ANQP query frames by the affected device. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a malformed ANQP query frame to an affected device that is on an RF-adjacent network. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the affected device to restart unexpectedly, resulting in a DoS condition. This vulnerability affects Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers that are running a vulnerable release of Cisco WLC Software and are configured to support Hotspot 2.0. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve05779.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12282 resides within the Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) ingress frame processing functionality of Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, representing a significant security weakness that undermines the operational integrity of wireless network infrastructure. This flaw specifically targets devices configured to support Hotspot 2.0 functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt critical network services through carefully crafted network traffic. The vulnerability operates at the Layer 2 network level, requiring attackers to be positioned within the radio frequency adjacency of the targeted device, which aligns with attack patterns described in the ATT&CK framework under network infiltration techniques.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from incomplete input validation mechanisms within the ANQP query frame processing logic of Cisco WLC software. When an affected device receives an ANQP query frame, the system fails to properly validate the incoming data structure, allowing malformed frames to bypass normal processing safeguards. This incomplete validation creates a condition where specifically crafted ANQP query frames can trigger unexpected behavior in the wireless controller's processing engine. The vulnerability manifests as an abrupt device restart rather than a more sophisticated exploitation vector, indicating that the input validation failure leads to a critical system state that cannot be recovered from gracefully, falling under CWE-20 standards for improper input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to create a comprehensive denial of service scenario that can severely impact enterprise wireless infrastructure. An unauthenticated attacker positioned within RF adjacency can repeatedly send malformed ANQP frames to cause repeated device restarts, effectively creating a persistent DoS condition that can render wireless access points unavailable to legitimate users. This attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges and can be executed from within the physical network perimeter, making it difficult to detect and prevent through traditional network security measures. The vulnerability affects specific Cisco WLC software releases and configurations, but the widespread adoption of Hotspot 2.0 functionality across enterprise networks increases the potential attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12282 should focus on both immediate protective measures and long-term architectural improvements to wireless network security. Network administrators should prioritize applying the relevant Cisco software patches and updates that address the ANQP input validation issues, as recommended in the Cisco bug ID CSCve05779. Implementing network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of such attacks by isolating wireless controllers from directly accessible RF networks. Additionally, monitoring and anomaly detection systems should be enhanced to identify unusual restart patterns or malformed ANQP frame traffic that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in network infrastructure components and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, which emphasize the need for comprehensive security controls in network device implementations.