CVE-2021-34740 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in the WLAN Control Protocol (WCP) implementation for Cisco Aironet Access Point (AP) software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause a reload of an affected device, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Understanding CVE-2021-34740

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in Cisco Aironet Access Points that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2021-34740?

The vulnerability is caused by incorrect error handling when an affected device receives an unexpected 802.11 frame. An attacker could exploit this by sending specific 802.11 frames over the wireless network to trigger a reload of the affected device.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34740

The vulnerability could allow an adjacent attacker to cause a packet buffer leak, leading to buffer allocation failures and ultimately, a device reload.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34740

This section provides a deeper look into the technical aspects of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to incorrect error handling when an affected device receives unexpected 802.11 frames.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Cisco Aironet Access Point Software.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending certain 802.11 frames over the wireless network to an interface on an affected AP.

Mitigation and Prevention

Here are some essential steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-34740.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the patches provided by Cisco to address this vulnerability.
Restrict network access to trusted devices only to minimize the risk of adjacent attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network devices to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security training for employees to enhance awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Cisco and apply patches promptly to safeguard your network.