CVE-2022-20682 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A vulnerability in the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) protocol processing of Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software for the Catalyst 9000 Family has been identified.

Understanding CVE-2022-20682

This CVE involves a denial of service (DoS) vulnerability in the CAPWAP protocol processing.

What is CVE-2022-20682?

The vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE Software for the Catalyst 9000 Family could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to trigger a DoS condition on the affected device due to inadequate input validation of incoming CAPWAP packets.

The Impact of CVE-2022-20682

An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted mDNS query, causing the affected device to crash and reload, resulting in a DoS condition. The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 8.6 (High Severity).

Technical Details of CVE-2022-20682

This section provides further technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the processing of CAPWAP packets encapsulating mDNS queries, allowing attackers to crash the device remotely.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Cisco IOS XE Wireless Controller Software for the Catalyst 9000 Family with the specific version status marked as 'affected'.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by connecting to a wireless network and sending a specially crafted mDNS query.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-20682, follow these guidelines.

Immediate Steps to Take

Implement the recommended patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity targeting CAPWAP protocol.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update the software and firmware of networking devices to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.
Conduct thorough security assessments to identify and address any potential weaknesses in the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Cisco and promptly apply patches and updates to secure your network infrastructure.