CVE-2018-0441 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2018-0441, a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco Aironet Access Point Software that allows DoS attacks. Find mitigation steps and long-term security practices here.
A vulnerability in the 802.11r Fast Transition feature set of Cisco IOS Access Points (APs) Software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device. The weakness is related to specific timer mechanisms corruption during roaming events, leading to a crash of the timer and subsequent DoS attack.
Understanding CVE-2018-0441
This CVE entry describes a vulnerability in Cisco Aironet Access Point Software that could be exploited by an adjacent, unauthenticated attacker to trigger a DoS situation on the affected device.
What is CVE-2018-0441?
The vulnerability in Cisco IOS Access Points Software allows attackers to crash specific timers by sending malicious reassociation events, resulting in a DoS condition on the affected AP.
The Impact of CVE-2018-0441
The vulnerability has a CVSS base score of 7.4, indicating a high severity level. The attack complexity is low, but the availability impact is high, potentially leading to service disruption.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-0441
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The weakness lies in the corruption of timer mechanisms triggered by roaming events, leading to a crash of the timer and a subsequent DoS situation.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Cisco Aironet Access Point Software
- Vendor: Cisco
- Versions: Not applicable (n/a)
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attack Vector: Adjacent Network
- Privileges Required: None
- Scope: Changed
- User Interaction: None
- Vector String: CVSS:3.0/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H
Mitigation and Prevention
To address CVE-2018-0441, follow these mitigation and prevention strategies:
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious reassociation events.
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all network devices and software.
- Conduct security training for staff to recognize and respond to potential threats.
- Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems to monitor network activity.
Patching and Updates
- Check the vendor's security advisory for patches and updates.
- Apply recommended security configurations to mitigate the vulnerability.