CVE-2017-12256 Vulnerability Analysis & Exploit Details

CVE-2017-12256
Vulnerability Scoring

6.5
/10
High Risk

If left unpatched, CVE-2017-12256 could lead to major system disruptions or data loss.

Attack Complexity Details

  • Attack Complexity: Low
    Exploits can be performed without significant complexity or special conditions.
  • Attack Vector: Network
    Vulnerability is exploitable over a network without physical access.
  • Privileges Required: None
    No privileges are required for exploitation.
  • Scope: Unchanged
    Exploit remains within the originally vulnerable component.
  • User Interaction: Required
    User interaction is necessary for successful exploitation.

CVE-2017-12256 Details

Status: Modified

Last updated: 🕒 21 Nov 2024, 03:09 UTC
Originally published on: 🕖 05 Oct 2017, 07:29 UTC

Time between publication and last update: 2603 days

CVSS Release: version 3

CVSS3 Source

nvd@nist.gov

CVSS3 Type

Primary

CVSS3 Vector

CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVE-2017-12256 Vulnerability Summary

CVE-2017-12256: A vulnerability in the Akamai Connect feature of Cisco Wide Area Application Services (WAAS) Appliances could allow an unauthenticated, remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition on an affected device. The vulnerability is due to certain file-handling inefficiencies of the affected system. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by directing client systems to access a corrupted file that the client systems cannot decompress correctly. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to cause the affected device to crash or hang unexpectedly and result in a DoS condition that may require manual intervention to regain normal operating conditions. Cisco Bug IDs: CSCve82472.

Assessing the Risk of CVE-2017-12256

Access Complexity Graph

The exploitability of CVE-2017-12256 depends on two key factors: attack complexity (the level of effort required to execute an exploit) and privileges required (the access level an attacker needs).

Exploitability Analysis for CVE-2017-12256

With low attack complexity and no required privileges, CVE-2017-12256 is an easy target for cybercriminals. Organizations should prioritize immediate mitigation measures to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.

Understanding AC and PR

A lower complexity and fewer privilege requirements make exploitation easier. Security teams should evaluate these aspects to determine the urgency of mitigation strategies, such as patch management and access control policies.

Attack Complexity (AC) measures the difficulty in executing an exploit. A high AC means that specific conditions must be met, making an attack more challenging, while a low AC means the vulnerability can be exploited with minimal effort.

Privileges Required (PR) determine the level of system access necessary for an attack. Vulnerabilities requiring no privileges are more accessible to attackers, whereas high privilege requirements limit exploitation to authorized users with elevated access.

CVSS Score Breakdown Chart

Above is the CVSS Sub-score Breakdown for CVE-2017-12256, illustrating how Base, Impact, and Exploitability factors combine to form the overall severity rating. A higher sub-score typically indicates a more severe or easier-to-exploit vulnerability.

CIA Impact Analysis

Below is the Impact Analysis for CVE-2017-12256, showing how Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability might be affected if the vulnerability is exploited. Higher values usually signal greater potential damage.

  • Confidentiality: None
    CVE-2017-12256 has no significant impact on data confidentiality.
  • Integrity: None
    CVE-2017-12256 poses no threat to data integrity.
  • Availability: High
    CVE-2017-12256 can disrupt system operations, potentially causing complete denial of service (DoS).

Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS)

The EPSS score estimates the probability that this vulnerability will be exploited in the near future.

EPSS Score: 0.1% (probability of exploit)

EPSS Percentile: 43.5% (lower percentile = lower relative risk)
This vulnerability is less risky than approximately 56.5% of others.

CVE-2017-12256 References

External References

CWE Common Weakness Enumeration

NVD-CWE-noinfo

Vulnerable Configurations

  • cpe:2.3:a:cisco:wide_area_application_services:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
    cpe:2.3:a:cisco:wide_area_application_services:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

Protect Your Infrastructure against CVE-2017-12256: Combat Critical CVE Threats

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