CVE-2017-12283 : Security Advisory and Response

Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points are affected by a vulnerability related to handling 802.11w Protected Management Frames (PAF). This weakness could be exploited by an adjacent attacker to disconnect a legitimate user's connection to the device.

Understanding CVE-2017-12283

This CVE involves a specific vulnerability in Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2017-12283?

The vulnerability arises from the improper verification of 802.11w PAF disassociation and deauthentication frames by the affected access points. An attacker without authentication could exploit this flaw to disrupt a valid user's connection by sending forged 802.11w PAF frames.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12283

If successfully exploited, the attacker can terminate the connection of a single legitimate user to the affected device. This vulnerability specifically affects Access Points configured to operate in FlexConnect mode.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12283

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an adjacent attacker to disconnect a legitimate user's connection by exploiting the mishandling of 802.11w PAF frames by the affected Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points
Version: Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker needs to send a forged 802.11w PAF frame from a valid, authenticated client on a neighboring network to the affected device.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12283 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities related to 802.11w PAF frames.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to prevent potential security gaps.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Cisco Aironet 3800 Series Access Points are updated with the latest firmware and security patches to address the vulnerability.