CVE-2023-20268 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-20268 was published by Cisco on September 27, 2023. It involves a vulnerability in the packet processing functionality of Cisco access point (AP) software that could be exploited by an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to exhaust resources on the affected device.

Understanding CVE-2023-20268

This vulnerability arises due to insufficient management of resources when handling specific types of traffic. An attacker could send tailored wireless packets to the device, leading to resource consumption and potential disruption of the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) tunnel, impacting wireless client traffic intermittently.

What is CVE-2023-20268?

CVE-2023-20268 is a security vulnerability in Cisco access point software that allows an adjacent attacker to deplete resources on a device through malicious traffic, potentially disrupting wireless network functionality.

The Impact of CVE-2023-20268

The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in resource exhaustion on the affected device, causing disruptions in the CAPWAP tunnel and intermittent loss of wireless client traffic, impacting network performance and availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-20268

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems and versions, as well as the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Cisco AP software stems from inadequate resource management during the processing of certain wireless packets, enabling attackers to exhaust resources on the target device.

Affected Systems and Versions

Numerous versions of Cisco Aironet Access Point Software, Cisco Business Wireless Access Point Software, and Cisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller) are impacted by this vulnerability, as listed in the data provided.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-20268 involves sending a sequence of specific wireless packets to the vulnerable device, triggering the resource depletion and potential disruption of critical network functions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-20268, immediate steps should be taken, complemented by long-term security practices and the application of relevant patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Network administrators should implement appropriate traffic filtering and monitoring measures to detect and block malicious traffic targeting the vulnerable Cisco access points.

Long-Term Security Practices

Ensuring regular security assessments, keeping systems updated, and monitoring network traffic for anomalies are essential long-term practices to enhance overall network security posture.

Patching and Updates

Cisco may release patches or updates to mitigate the vulnerability. It is crucial to apply these patches promptly to address the security flaw and prevent potential exploitation.