CVE-2018-0416 in Wireless LAN Controller
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based interface of Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) Software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to view system information that under normal circumstances should be prohibited. The vulnerability is due to incomplete input and validation checking mechanisms in the web-based interface URL request. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by requesting specific URLs via the web-based interface. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to view sensitive system information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0416 represents a critical access control flaw within Cisco Wireless LAN Controller software that exposes sensitive system information to unauthenticated remote attackers. This weakness exists within the web-based management interface of the wireless controller, which serves as the primary administrative portal for configuring and monitoring wireless network infrastructure. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of URL request parameters, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain unauthorized access to system data that should remain restricted to authorized administrators only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves incomplete input validation within the web application layer of the Cisco WLC software. When attackers submit specific URL requests through the web interface, the system fails to properly validate the incoming parameters, allowing crafted requests to traverse the application's access control boundaries. This flaw falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to CWE-285 which addresses improper authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability enables attackers to construct malicious URL sequences that can reveal system information including but not limited to configuration details, network topology data, and potentially sensitive operational parameters that would normally require valid administrative credentials to access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a foundation for further exploitation attempts within wireless network environments. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can gain intelligence about the wireless infrastructure that could inform more sophisticated attacks, including potential network reconnaissance, configuration analysis, and targeted exploitation of other system components. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter without requiring any prior authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that maintain public-facing wireless infrastructure. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1087.001 for account discovery and T1592.001 for reconnaissance, as it enables unauthorized access to system information that would typically be protected by proper authorization controls.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Cisco security patches and updates that address the input validation flaws in the web interface. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit access to the wireless controller management interfaces, while implementing additional access controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to the web management ports from trusted networks only. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, particularly in enterprise infrastructure devices where unauthorized access can lead to significant operational and security implications. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual URL access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that proper access controls remain in place and functioning correctly.