CVE-2017-12273 : Security Advisory and Response

A weakness has been identified in the processing of the 802.11 association request frame for the Cisco Aironet 1560, 2800, and 3800 Series Access Points, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2017-12273

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the 802.11 association request frame processing for specific Cisco Aironet Access Point platforms.

What is CVE-2017-12273?

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker in close proximity to the targeted access point to trigger a DoS situation by sending a malformed 802.11 association request frame.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12273

An attacker can exploit this flaw to cause the access point to reload, resulting in a DoS scenario.
The vulnerability affects Cisco Aironet 1560, 2800, and 3800 Series Access Points running specific software images.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12273

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of the 802.11 association request frame, allowing attackers to exploit it for a DoS attack.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cisco Aironet 1560, 2800, and 3800 Series Access Points are impacted.
Devices running either the Lightweight AP Software or Mobility Express image are vulnerable.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending a malformed 802.11 association request to the targeted device.
Successful exploitation results in a DoS scenario while the access point is reloading.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12273 involves taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Cisco has released patches to address the vulnerability, and users are advised to apply them promptly to secure their systems.