Cisco Security Advisory
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CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N/E:X/RL:X/RC:X
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A vulnerability in the Device Analytics action frame processing of Cisco Wireless Access Point (AP) Software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to inject wireless 802.11 action frames with arbitrary information.
This vulnerability is due to insufficient verification checks of incoming 802.11 action frames. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending 802.11 Device Analytics action frames with arbitrary parameters. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject Device Analytics action frames with arbitrary information, which could modify the Device Analytics data of valid wireless clients that are connected to the same wireless controller.
Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
This advisory is available at the following link:
https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-action-frame-inj-QqCNcz8H
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Vulnerable Products
At the time of publication, this vulnerability affected the following Cisco products if they were running a vulnerable release of Cisco AP Software and had Device Analytics enabled:
- 6300 Series Embedded Services APs
- Aironet 1540 Series APs
- Aironet 1560 Series APs
- Aironet 1800 Series APs
- Aironet 2800 Series APs
- Aironet 3800 Series APs
- Aironet 4800 APs
- Catalyst 9100 APs
- Catalyst IW6300 Heavy Duty Series APs
- Integrated APs on 1100 Integrated Services Routers (ISRs)
For information about which Cisco software releases were vulnerable at the time of publication, see the Fixed Software section of this advisory. See the Details section in the bug ID(s) at the top of this advisory for the most complete and current information.
Determine the Device Configuration
To determine whether Device Analytics is enabled, connect to the CLI management interface and use the show wlan wlan-id wlan-profile-name command. When Advertise Support is marked as enabled under the Device Analytics section, the Device Analytics feature is enabled, and the device is affected by this vulnerability, as shown in the following example:
Device# show wlan 1 test-wlan
WLAN Profile Name : test-wlan
================================================
Identifier : 1
Description :
Network Name (SSID) : test-open-ssid
Status : Enabled
Broadcast SSID : Enabled
Advertise-Apname : Disabled
Universal AP Admin : Disabled
Device Analytics
Advertise Support : Enabled
Share Data with Client : DisabledProducts Confirmed Not Vulnerable
Only products listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory are known to be affected by this vulnerability.
Cisco has confirmed that this vulnerability does not affect any Cisco AP series that is not listed in the Vulnerable Products section of this advisory.
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There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.
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Cisco considers any workarounds and mitigations to be temporary solutions until an upgrade to a fixed software release is available. To fully remediate this vulnerability and avoid future exposure as described in this advisory, Cisco strongly recommends that customers upgrade to the fixed software indicated in this advisory.
Fixed Releases
At the time of publication, the release information in the following table was accurate. See the Details section in the bug ID(s) at the top of this advisory for the most complete and current information.
The left column lists Cisco software releases, and the right column indicates whether a release was affected by the vulnerability that is described in this advisory and which release included the fix for this vulnerability.
The process to upgrade an AP requires administrators to upgrade the wireless controller to which the AP is registered. Customers are advised to upgrade to an appropriate fixed software release as indicated in the following table:
APs Managed by Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller or Embedded Wireless Controller (EWC)
Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) IOS XE Software First Fixed Release 17.11 and earlier Migrate to a fixed release. 17.12 17.12.6 17.13 Migrate to a fixed release. 17.14 Migrate to a fixed release. 17.15 17.15.4 17.16 Migrate to a fixed release. 17.17 Migrate to a fixed release. 17.18 Not vulnerable. The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) validates only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory.
APs Managed by WLC or Mobility Express (ME)
Cisco 3504, 5520, and 8540 Wireless Controllers, Cisco ME, and Cisco Virtual Wireless Controllers are past their respective dates for End of Software Maintenance Releases. For this reason, Cisco has not released and will not release software updates to address the vulnerabilities that are described in this advisory. Customers are advised to refer to the end-of-life notices for these products:
When considering a device migration, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for Cisco products, which are available from the Cisco Security Advisories page, to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution.
In all cases, customers should ensure that the new products will be sufficient for their network needs, that the new devices contain sufficient memory, and that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new product. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
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The Cisco PSIRT is not aware of any public announcements or malicious use of the vulnerability that is described in this advisory.
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This vulnerability was found during internal security testing.
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To learn about Cisco security vulnerability disclosure policies and publications, see the Security Vulnerability Policy. This document also contains instructions for obtaining fixed software and receiving security vulnerability information from Cisco.
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Show LessVersion Description Section Status Date 1.0 Initial public release. — Final 2025-SEP-24
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SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
The Cisco Support and Downloads page on Cisco.com provides information about licensing and downloads. This page can also display customer device support coverage for customers who use the My Devices tool. Please note that customers may download only software that was procured from Cisco directly or through a Cisco authorized reseller or partner and for which the license is still valid.
Customers who purchase directly from Cisco but do not hold a Cisco service contract and customers who make purchases through third-party vendors but are unsuccessful in obtaining fixed software through their point of sale should obtain upgrades by contacting the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC). Customers should have the product serial number available and be prepared to provide the URL of this advisory as evidence of entitlement to a free upgrade.
When considering software upgrades, customers are advised to regularly consult the advisories for the relevant Cisco products to determine exposure and a complete upgrade solution. In all cases, customers should ensure that the devices to be upgraded contain sufficient memory and confirm that current hardware and software configurations will continue to be supported properly by the new release. If the information is not clear, customers are advised to contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) or their contracted maintenance providers.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER DETAILS
CISCO DOES NOT MAKE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, CISCO DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THIS INFORMATION. THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS. YOUR USE OF THE INFORMATION ON THE DOCUMENT OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE DOCUMENT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME.
Copies or summaries of the information contained in this Security Advisory may lack important information or contain factual errors. Customers are advised to visit the Cisco Security Advisories page for the most recent version of this Security Advisory. The Cisco Product Security Incident Response Team (PSIRT) assesses only the affected and fixed release information that is documented in this advisory. See the Cisco Security Vulnerability Policy for more information.