CVE-2017-12278 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) subsystem of Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition by restarting the device.

Understanding CVE-2017-12278

This CVE involves a memory leak vulnerability in the SNMP subsystem of Cisco Wireless LAN Controllers, leading to a DoS attack.

What is CVE-2017-12278?

The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit the SNMP subsystem, causing a DoS condition by depleting the device's memory through repeated polling of specific MIBs.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12278

An authenticated remote attacker can trigger a DoS condition by restarting the affected device through memory depletion.
The vulnerability requires either SNMP Version 2 SNMP Read string or valid SNMP Version 3 credentials for exploitation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12278

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is caused by a memory leak when the device fails to deallocate a buffer used during MIB polling.
Exploiting the vulnerability involves repeatedly polling specific MIB object IDs to consume device memory.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Wireless LAN Controller
Version: Cisco Wireless LAN Controller

Exploitation Mechanism

Attacker must possess SNMP Version 2 SNMP Read string or valid SNMP Version 3 credentials.
By polling specific MIB object IDs, the attacker can gradually consume the device's memory, leading to a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent the CVE-2017-12278 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability.
Restrict network access to the SNMP subsystem to authorized users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit SNMP activity on the network.
Implement strong SNMP community strings and credentials.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Cisco.
Apply patches promptly to address known vulnerabilities.