A vulnerability in the mesh code of Cisco Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) software could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to impersonate a WLC in a meshed topology. The vulnerability is due to insufficient authentication of the parent access point in a mesh configuration. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by forcing the target system to disconnect from the correct parent access point and reconnect to a rogue access point owned by the attacker. An exploit could allow the attacker to control the traffic flowing through the impacted access point or take full control of the target system. This vulnerability affects the following products running a vulnerable version of Wireless LAN Controller software and configured for meshed mode: Cisco 8500 Series Wireless Controller, Cisco 5500 Series Wireless Controller, Cisco 2500 Series Wireless Controller, Cisco Flex 7500 Series Wireless Controller, Cisco Virtual Wireless Controller, Wireless Services Module 2 (WiSM2). Note that additional configuration is needed in addition to upgrading to a fixed release. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCuc98992 CSCuu14804.
This vulnerability carries a HIGH severity rating with a CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8, indicating it requires adjacent network access with relatively low complexity without requiring user interaction and does not require pre-existing privileges . The vulnerability impacts confidentiality (data exposure), integrity (unauthorized modifications), and availability (service disruption) for affected systems. Impacting 12 products from cisco, from cisco, from cisco and 9 others, organizations running these solutions should prioritize assessment and patching.
First disclosed in 2017, this vulnerability was reported during a period defined by widespread IoT adoption challenges, mobile security concerns, and the emergence of advanced persistent threat (APT) techniques. Contemporary mitigation strategies focused on secure development practices and third-party component vetting.
2017-03-15T20:59:00.257
2026-05-13T00:24:29.033
Modified
CVSSv3.1: 8.8 (HIGH)
AV:A/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C
6.5
10.0
| Type | Vendor | Product | Version/Range | Vulnerable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | cisco | wireless_lan_controller_firmware | 8.0.72.140 | Yes |
| Operating System | cisco | wireless_lan_controller_software | 6.0199.4 | Yes |
| Operating System | cisco | wireless_lan_controller_software | 7.41.54 | Yes |
| Operating System | cisco | wireless_lan_controller_software | 7.0220.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | cisco | wireless_lan_controller_software | 7.0250.0 | Yes |
| Operating System | cisco | wireless_lan_controller_software | 16.088.0 | Yes |
| Hardware | cisco | 2500_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | 2504_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | 5500_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | 5508_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | 7500_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | 7510_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | 8510_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | 8540_wireless_lan_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | virtual_wireless_controller | - | No |
| Hardware | cisco | wireless_service_module_2 | - | No |
SecUtils normalizes and enriches National Vulnerability Database (NVD) records by standardizing vendor and product identifiers, aggregating vulnerability metadata from both NVD and MITRE sources, and providing structured context for security teams. For cisco's affected products, we extract Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) data, Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classifications, CVSS severity metrics, and reference data to enable rapid vulnerability prioritization and asset correlation. This record contains no exploit code, proof-of-concept instructions, or attack methodologies—only defensive intelligence necessary for patch management, risk assessment, and security operations.