CVE-2020-3487 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Multiple vulnerabilities in the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) protocol processing of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) condition of an affected device. These vulnerabilities are due to insufficient validation of CAPWAP packets. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending a malformed CAPWAP packet to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the affected device to crash and reload, resulting in a DoS condition on the affected device.

Understanding CVE-2020-3487

This CVE involves multiple vulnerabilities in the CAPWAP protocol processing of Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers.

What is CVE-2020-3487?

The CVE-2020-3487 vulnerability allows an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to trigger a denial of service (DoS) condition on an affected device by exploiting insufficient validation of CAPWAP packets.

The Impact of CVE-2020-3487

High Severity: The base score is 7.4, indicating a high severity level.
Availability Impact: The vulnerability has a high impact on availability, potentially leading to a DoS condition.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-3487

Multiple aspects of the vulnerability are detailed below:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from inadequate validation of CAPWAP packets in Cisco IOS XE Software for Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Cisco IOS XE Software
Vendor: Cisco
Affected Versions: Not applicable (n/a)

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit the vulnerability by sending a malformed CAPWAP packet to the affected device.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2020-3487.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor-provided patches or updates promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity related to CAPWAP packets.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to prevent vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to adjacent network attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the affected Cisco IOS XE Software is updated with the latest patches to address the vulnerability.