CVE-2018-0234 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Learn about CVE-2018-0234, a vulnerability in Cisco Aironet 1810, 1830, and 1850 Series Access Points allowing DoS attacks. Find mitigation steps and patching details here.
A vulnerability in the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) implementation in Cisco Aironet 1810, 1830, and 1850 Series Access Points could lead to a denial of service (DoS) attack.
Understanding CVE-2018-0234
This CVE entry describes a flaw in Cisco Aironet access points that could be exploited by an unauthorized attacker to cause a DoS condition.
What is CVE-2018-0234?
The vulnerability arises from inadequate verification of Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) frames in the data plane of affected access points. By sending a malicious GRE frame through the access point, an attacker can crash the NSS core process, forcing a reload and triggering a DoS situation.
The Impact of CVE-2018-0234
The vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to remotely crash affected devices, resulting in a DoS condition. It affects Cisco Aironet 1810, 1830, and 1850 Series Access Points running specific software versions.
Technical Details of CVE-2018-0234
This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The flaw in PPTP functionality implementation allows attackers to exploit GRE frames, leading to a DoS scenario by crashing the NSS core process.
Affected Systems and Versions
- Cisco Aironet 1810, 1830, and 1850 Series Access Points
- Running Cisco Mobility Express Software Release 8.4.100.0, 8.5.103.0, or 8.5.105.0
- Configured as master, subordinate, or standalone access points
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attacker initiates a PPTP connection to an affected access point from a registered device on the same wireless network
- Sends a malicious GRE frame through the access point's data plane
- Crashes the NSS core process, causing a reload and DoS condition
Mitigation and Prevention
Steps to address and prevent exploitation of CVE-2018-0234.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Apply patches provided by Cisco to address the vulnerability
- Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities
- Restrict network access to trusted devices
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update and patch all network devices
- Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks
- Conduct regular security audits and assessments
Patching and Updates
- Cisco has released patches to mitigate the vulnerability
- Ensure all affected access points are updated to the latest software versions