CVE-2017-12274 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A weakness in the Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) frame processing of Cisco Aironet 1560, 2800, and 3800 Series Access Points could lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2017-12274

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in the EAP frame processing of specific Cisco Aironet Access Point platforms.

What is CVE-2017-12274?

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker to cause the Access Point to reload, resulting in a DoS situation by sending a malformed EAP frame.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12274

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability on Layer 2 RF to trigger AP reload, causing a DoS condition.
Manual power cycle may be required for device recovery.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12274

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Insufficient validation of EAP frame leads to the vulnerability.
Attackers can exploit by sending a malformed EAP frame to the device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Cisco Aironet 1560, 2800, and 3800 Series Access Point Platforms are affected.
Vulnerability applies to devices running Lightweight AP Software or Mobility Express image.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the vulnerability by sending a malformed EAP frame to the targeted device.
Successful exploitation causes the AP to reload, resulting in a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12274 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-supplied 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 and software.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure all affected Cisco Aironet devices are updated with the latest firmware and software patches.