CVE-2018-5794 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 No Authentication for the AeroScout Service via a crafted UDP packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5794 affects Extreme Networks ExtremeWireless WiNG wireless management software versions 5.x prior to 5.8.6.9 and 5.9.x prior to 5.9.1.3. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the AeroScout service implementation that lacks proper authentication mechanisms for UDP packet processing. The vulnerability resides within the wireless access point management system that handles location tracking and asset management services through the AeroScout integration, which is commonly deployed in enterprise wireless networks for device tracking and monitoring purposes.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing authentication check for incoming UDP packets destined for the AeroScout service endpoint. This allows any remote attacker to send crafted UDP packets to the affected wireless controllers without requiring valid credentials or authorization. The absence of authentication validation creates an attack surface where malicious actors can potentially manipulate the wireless network's location tracking capabilities, inject false device information, or disrupt normal operational procedures. The vulnerability operates at the network protocol level where UDP packets are processed without verifying the sender's identity or authorization status, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless network management relies heavily on accurate device location data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential network disruption, data integrity compromise, and operational security degradation. Attackers could exploit this weakness to spoof device locations, manipulate wireless network monitoring systems, or potentially gain insights into network topology and device placement. The vulnerability affects enterprise wireless infrastructure where ExtremeWireless controllers manage large-scale deployments, making it particularly concerning for organizations with extensive wireless network coverage and security-sensitive operations. This weakness could enable attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities, disrupt network services, or potentially escalate privileges within the wireless management system through indirect exploitation pathways.
Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit UDP traffic to the AeroScout service ports, while also applying the vendor-provided patches and updates to remediate the authentication gap. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-305 authentication bypass issues and could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous UDP traffic patterns and establish proper network monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to wireless management services. Regular security assessments of wireless infrastructure components and continuous monitoring of network traffic for unauthorized service access are essential defensive measures to mitigate this and similar vulnerabilities in wireless network management systems.