CVE-2018-5787 in Networks ExtremeWireless WiNG
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Extreme Networks ExtremeWireless WiNG 5.x before 5.8.6.9 and 5.9.x before 5.9.1.3. There is a Remote, Unauthenticated Stack Overflow in the RIM (Radio Interface Module) process running on the WiNG Access Point via crafted packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5787 represents a critical stack overflow flaw within the Radio Interface Module process of Extreme Networks ExtremeWireless WiNG access points. This issue affects versions 5.x prior to 5.8.6.9 and 5.9.x prior to 5.9.1.3, creating a significant security risk for wireless network infrastructure. The vulnerability manifests as a remote, unauthenticated stack overflow, meaning that attackers can exploit this weakness from outside the network without requiring any credentials or prior access to the system. The RIM process, which handles radio interface operations, becomes the target of malicious packet injection that leads to memory corruption and potential system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw occurs when the RIM process receives crafted packets that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing the stack to overflow and potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level within the access point's operating system, allowing attackers to gain control over the entire wireless infrastructure. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit means that no valid credentials are required to trigger the vulnerability, making it accessible to anyone within radio range of the affected access points.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5787 extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete system compromise of affected wireless access points. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code on the affected devices, potentially gaining full administrative control over the wireless network infrastructure. This compromise could enable attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, intercept wireless communications, modify network traffic, or even use the compromised access points as launching platforms for attacks against other network segments. The vulnerability affects the core radio interface functionality, which means that legitimate wireless users could experience service interruption or complete loss of wireless connectivity while the system remains compromised. Organizations relying on Extreme Networks WiNG infrastructure face significant risk of unauthorized network access and potential data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5787 should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades to versions 5.8.6.9 or 5.9.1.3, which contain patches addressing the stack overflow vulnerability in the RIM process. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous packet patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for remote code execution and T1566 for malicious packet injection techniques. Additional defensive measures include implementing network access control lists to restrict communication with affected access points, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious wireless traffic patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of wireless infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary wireless services and implementing robust network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts before they can cause significant damage to the wireless infrastructure.