CVE-2026-102164 in Wi-Fi Access Points
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2026
On affected Arista access points configured with VXLAN tunnelling and L2-proxy (a specific configuration unique to the VESPA use-case), a wireless client associated to the tunnelled SSID can send a crafted packet, causing the access point to reveal memory contents in network traffic. No write primitive or remote code execution is possible.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/07/2026
The vulnerability identified involves an information disclosure flaw within Arista access points that are specifically configured with VXLAN tunnelling and L2-proxy features, a configuration profile unique to VESPA use cases. This security issue arises when a wireless client associated with the tunnelled SSID transmits a specially crafted packet to the affected device. The core technical flaw lies in how the access point processes these malformed or unexpected inputs within its VXLAN encapsulation and L2-proxy logic, leading to an improper handling of memory buffers that results in sensitive data being leaked into network traffic. This behavior indicates a failure in input validation or buffer boundary checks during the packet processing pipeline specific to this configuration scenario.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability allows for the exfiltration of internal memory contents from the access point's operating system or application stack over the network. An attacker positioned within range of the wireless SSID can exploit this condition by sending crafted packets that trigger the erroneous response mechanism. The leaked data may contain sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, session tokens, configuration details, or other proprietary data stored in memory at the time of exploitation. It is critical to note that while this vulnerability facilitates significant data leakage, it does not provide an arbitrary write primitive nor does it allow for remote code execution on the affected device. The impact is strictly limited to confidentiality breaches rather than integrity or availability compromises through direct system control.
The operational impact of this flaw centers on the potential compromise of sensitive organizational data and security credentials residing within the access point's memory space. Since VXLAN tunnels are often used in enterprise environments to extend Layer 2 networks across diverse physical locations, the exposure of internal state information could undermine the security assumptions underlying these deployments. Attackers with knowledge of network topology or intercepted traffic might leverage this leaked information for further reconnaissance or targeted attacks against other systems within the extended L2 domain. The risk is particularly acute in VESPA environments where specific configurations are deployed to support high-density wireless connectivity and seamless roaming, making the protection of internal state integrity paramount for maintaining overall network security posture.
Mitigation strategies should focus on applying vendor-provided software updates that address this input validation deficiency within the VXLAN and L2-proxy processing modules. Administrators managing Arista access points with VESPA configurations must ensure their firmware is current to patch this specific information disclosure vector. In cases where immediate patching is not feasible, network segmentation policies should be reviewed to restrict wireless client access to only necessary services, thereby limiting the attack surface available for crafting malicious packets. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for anomalous patterns associated with VXLAN tunnel interactions can aid in detecting potential exploitation attempts before significant data exfiltration occurs.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which classifies information exposure as a category of security weaknesses where sensitive information is disclosed to unauthorized actors without explicit intent. The attack vector described corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1537, specifically the aspect involving communication through alternative protocols or tunneling mechanisms like VXLAN to evade detection and exfiltrate data. By understanding this mapping, security teams can better integrate detection rules into their intrusion prevention systems that monitor for unusual memory disclosure patterns within encapsulated traffic flows. Continuous monitoring and adherence to secure configuration baselines remain essential defenses against such exploitation scenarios in complex wireless infrastructure deployments.