CVE-2020-3221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the Flexible NetFlow Version 9 packet processor of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device.

Understanding CVE-2020-3221

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2020-3221?

The vulnerability in the Flexible NetFlow Version 9 packet processor of Cisco IOS XE Software allows an attacker to trigger a DoS condition by sending a malformed packet to the device.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3221

CVSS Base Score: 8.6 (High)
Attack Vector: Network
Availability Impact: High
The vulnerability could result in a process crash and device reload, causing disruption.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3221

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper validation of parameters in a Flexible NetFlow Version 9 record.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Cisco IOS XE Software 16.10.1
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending a malformed Flexible NetFlow Version 9 packet to the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) data port.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-3221, follow these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches as soon as they are available.
Monitor network traffic for any signs of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits.

Patching and Updates

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