CVE-2019-15261 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2019-15261 affecting Cisco Aironet Access Points. Discover the impact, technical details, and mitigation steps for this PPTP DoS vulnerability.
A vulnerability in Cisco Aironet Access Points (APs) could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) by exploiting the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) VPN packet processing function.
Understanding CVE-2019-15261
This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco Aironet Access Points that could lead to a DoS situation.
What is CVE-2019-15261?
The vulnerability allows an unauthorized remote attacker to force a reload of the affected device by exploiting the insufficient verification of Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) frames in the data plane of the AP.
The Impact of CVE-2019-15261
- Attack Complexity: Low
- Attack Vector: Network
- Availability Impact: High
- Base Score: 8.6 (High)
- Scope: Changed
- No user interaction or privileges required
Technical Details of CVE-2019-15261
This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from the insufficient verification of GRE frames passing through the data plane of the affected AP.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: Cisco Aironet Access Point Software
- Vendor: Cisco
- Affected Version: Unspecified
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit this vulnerability, the attacker must be associated with a vulnerable AP and initiate a PPTP VPN connection to any PPTP VPN server. By transmitting a malicious GRE frame through the AP's data plane, the attacker can force a reload of the AP.
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to address and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply vendor patches and updates promptly.
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
- Restrict network access to vulnerable APs.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all network devices.
- Implement strong network segmentation and access controls.
- Conduct regular security audits and assessments.
Patching and Updates
- Cisco has likely released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure all APs are updated with the latest firmware.