CVE-2021-1611 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2021-1611, a high-severity vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controllers, enabling DoS attacks. Follow mitigation steps for protection.
A vulnerability in Ethernet over GRE (EoGRE) packet processing of Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software for the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Family Wireless Controller could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device.
Understanding CVE-2021-1611
This CVE identifier refers to a vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers related to Ethernet over GRE (EoGRE) packet processing.
What is CVE-2021-1611?
CVE-2021-1611 is a high-severity vulnerability that could enable an unauthenticated remote attacker to trigger a DoS condition by sending malicious packets to the affected device due to improper processing of EoGRE packets.
The Impact of CVE-2021-1611
The impact of this vulnerability is significant, as successful exploitation could lead to device reloads, resulting in a denial of service situation for the affected device.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-1611
This section provides in-depth technical details related to the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability arises from improper handling of malformed EoGRE packets in Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects Cisco IOS XE Software for the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Family Wireless Controller.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted malicious packets to the device, triggering a reload and causing a DoS condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
It is crucial to take immediate steps to address and prevent the CVE-2021-1611 vulnerability.
Immediate Steps to Take
Immediate steps include monitoring for any potential exploitation attempts and applying relevant security patches or workarounds.
Long-Term Security Practices
Long-term security practices involve regularly updating systems, implementing network security controls, and ensuring threat intelligence integration.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for updates and security advisories from Cisco to apply patches and updates that address the CVE-2021-1611 vulnerability.