CVE-2021-34769 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9000 Family Wireless Controllers could allow remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition. Learn the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-34769.
Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9000 Family Wireless Controllers is affected by multiple vulnerabilities in the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) protocol processing. These vulnerabilities could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition on the affected device.
Understanding CVE-2021-34769
This CVE refers to the denial of service vulnerabilities in Cisco IOS XE Software for Catalyst 9000 Family Wireless Controllers related to CAPWAP protocol processing.
What is CVE-2021-34769?
CVE-2021-34769 involves insufficient validation of CAPWAP packets, enabling attackers to send a malformed CAPWAP packet to crash and reload affected devices, leading to a DoS condition.
The Impact of CVE-2021-34769
The vulnerabilities carry a CVSS base score of 8.6, indicating a high severity level with a significant impact on availability.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-34769
The technical details of this CVE cover vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerabilities are due to inadequate validation of CAPWAP packets, allowing attackers to exploit the flaw by sending a malicious packet to crash the targeted device.
Affected Systems and Versions
The affected product is Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9000 Family Wireless Controllers, with a specific version labeled as n/a.
Exploitation Mechanism
Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities by sending a malformed CAPWAP packet to the affected device, causing it to crash and reload, resulting in a DoS condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-34769, take immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and ensure timely patching and updates.
Immediate Steps to Take
Deploy security measures such as network segmentation, access control lists, and traffic validation to minimize exposure to potential attacks.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly monitor network traffic, conduct security assessments, and educate users and IT staff about best security practices to enhance overall resilience.
Patching and Updates
Stay updated with security advisories from Cisco, apply recommended security patches promptly, and keep abreast of any further developments regarding this specific CVE.