CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-20176NVD status: Modified

Cisco Aironet Access Point Software: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-20176 is a high-severity uncontrolled resource consumption vulnerability in Cisco Aironet Access Point Software from Cisco, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.6 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. Affected Cisco Aironet Access Point Software versions: 8.10.170.0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.87% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 59% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Catalyst 9166 Firmware to 17.6.6 or a later version.
  2. Update Catalyst 9164 Firmware to 17.6.6 or a later version.
  3. Update Catalyst 9136 Firmware to 17.6.6 or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on sec.cloudapps.cisco.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  5. Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
CiscoCisco Aironet Access Point Software8.10.170.0Not stated
CiscoCisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller)16.10.1e; 16.10.1; 17.1.1t; 17.1.1s; 17.1.1; 16.11.1a; 16.11.1; 16.11.1c; and 32 more rangesNot stated
CiscoCatalyst 9166 Firmwarebefore 17.6.617.6.6
CiscoCatalyst 9164 Firmwarebefore 17.6.617.6.6
CiscoCatalyst 9136 Firmwarebefore 17.6.617.6.6
CiscoCatalyst 9130 Firmwarebefore 17.6.617.6.6
CiscoCatalyst 9124 Firmwarebefore 17.6.617.6.6

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
NoneNo account or login is needed.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
NoneNo data is disclosed.
Integrity
NoneNothing can be modified.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.15.8MediumCNA (cisco.com)
CVSS 3.18.6HighNVD

Official description

A vulnerability in the networking component of Cisco access point (AP) software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a temporary disruption of service. This vulnerability is due to overuse of AP resources. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by connecting to an AP on an affected device as a wireless client and sending a high rate of traffic over an extended period of time. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the Datagram TLS (DTLS) session to tear down and reset, causing a denial of service (DoS) condition.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Ensure that protocols have specific limits of scale placed on them.
  • Ensure that all failures in resource allocation place the system into a safe posture.

More Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities (CWE-400)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Other vulnerabilities in Cisco Aironet Access Point Software

All Cisco Aironet Access Point Software vulnerabilities

Recent Uncontrolled Resource Consumption vulnerabilities

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