CVE-2025-20364 in Aironet Access Point
Summary
by MITRE • 09/24/2025
A vulnerability in the Device Analytics action frame processing of Cisco Wireless Access Point (AP) Software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to inject wireless 802.11 action frames with arbitrary information.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient verification checks of incoming 802.11 action frames. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending 802.11 Device Analytics action frames with arbitrary parameters. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject Device Analytics action frames with arbitrary information, which could modify the Device Analytics data of valid wireless clients that are connected to the same wireless controller.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-20364 resides within the Device Analytics action frame processing functionality of Cisco Wireless Access Point software, representing a critical security gap that undermines wireless network integrity. This flaw specifically targets the 802.11 action frame handling mechanisms that are essential for wireless device analytics and monitoring. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation procedures that fail to properly authenticate and verify incoming wireless frames, creating an exploitable pathway for malicious actors within the physical proximity of affected wireless infrastructure. The Device Analytics feature is designed to collect and transmit information about wireless clients, including device types, connection parameters, and network behavior patterns, making it a valuable target for attackers seeking to manipulate wireless network intelligence.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the attacker's ability to craft and inject malicious 802.11 action frames that bypass existing security controls within the wireless access point software. The insufficient verification checks mentioned in the vulnerability description indicate that the system fails to properly validate frame parameters, source addresses, or content integrity before processing incoming Device Analytics action frames. This lack of proper input validation creates a condition where arbitrary data can be injected into the Device Analytics framework, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate the reported information about connected wireless clients. The vulnerability specifically affects the wireless controller's ability to distinguish between legitimate and malicious Device Analytics frames, enabling unauthorized modification of client data within the wireless network management system.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise wireless network security and monitoring capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can alter Device Analytics information that is used for network management, client tracking, and security monitoring purposes. This manipulation could lead to false reporting of connected devices, incorrect network performance metrics, and potentially mask other security incidents by altering the baseline data used for threat detection. The adjacent attacker requirement means that physical proximity to the wireless infrastructure is necessary, but this limitation does not mitigate the potential damage since wireless networks are inherently exposed to physical security risks. The vulnerability could be exploited to create false network conditions that might interfere with legitimate network operations, disrupt service quality, or provide attackers with insights into network topology and client behavior.
The security implications of CVE-2025-20364 align with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and represents a classic example of how insufficient validation can lead to injection attacks within wireless protocols. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1566.002, which covers spearphishing via social engineering, as attackers could potentially use the manipulated Device Analytics data to craft more convincing social engineering campaigns. The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses all Cisco wireless access points running affected software versions where Device Analytics is enabled, particularly in enterprise environments where wireless network monitoring and analytics are critical components of security operations. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader wireless security posture assessment, as it demonstrates the importance of validating all incoming wireless traffic and implementing proper access controls for wireless management functions. The vulnerability underscores the need for robust wireless protocol security measures and highlights the potential for seemingly benign network monitoring features to become attack vectors when proper validation controls are absent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates from Cisco to address the validation gaps in Device Analytics action frame processing, along with network segmentation and monitoring of wireless traffic to detect anomalous Device Analytics frame patterns. Organizations should also implement additional access controls for wireless management interfaces and consider disabling Device Analytics features if they are not essential to network operations. Regular wireless network assessments should be conducted to identify potential unauthorized wireless access points or rogue devices that could be leveraged to exploit this vulnerability. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of validating all wireless communication protocols and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both external and internal wireless threats.