---
id: CVE-2023-20268
title: >-
  Cisco Access Point Software Uncontrolled Resource Consumption Vulnerability
  (CVE-2023-20268)
summary: "A vulnerability in the packet processing functionality of Cisco access point (AP) software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to exhaust resources on an affected device.\r\n\r\nThis vulnerability is due to insufficient managemen…"
severity: medium
cvss: 4.7
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:L'
cvssSource: vendor
vendor: Cisco
product: Cisco Business Wireless Access Point Software
affected:
  - business_wireless_access_point_software
  - aironet_access_point_software
  - aironet_access_point_software_ios_xe_controller
published: '2023-09-27'
updated: '2024-12-12'
sourceUpdated: '2024-12-12T12:27:21+00:00'
source: CSAF
sourceUrl: >-
  https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-dos-capwap-DDMCZS4m
references:
  - url: >-
      https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-dos-capwap-DDMCZS4m
  - url: 'https://software.cisco.com'
tags:
  - csaf
  - vendor-advisory
  - cisco
epss: 0.00236
epssPercentile: 0.13034
ingestedAt: '2026-09-08T15:58:18.544Z'
---

## Overview

A vulnerability in the packet processing functionality of Cisco access point (AP) software could allow an unauthenticated, adjacent attacker to exhaust resources on an affected device.

This vulnerability is due to insufficient management of resources when handling certain types of traffic. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a series of specific wireless packets to an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to consume resources on an affected device. A sustained attack could lead to the disruption of the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points (CAPWAP) tunnel and intermittent loss of wireless client traffic.

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. There are no workarounds that address this vulnerability.

## Vendor advisories

- **cisco-sa-ap-dos-capwap-DDMCZS4m** · Cisco · affected: Cisco Business Wireless Access Point Software, Cisco Aironet Access Point Software, Cisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller) · updated 2024-12-12 · [advisory](https://sec.cloudapps.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-ap-dos-capwap-DDMCZS4m)

**Cisco Access Point Software Uncontrolled Resource Consumption Vulnerability**. Released 2023-09-27, updated 2024-12-12.

Affected:

- Cisco Business Wireless Access Point Software
- Cisco Aironet Access Point Software
- Cisco Aironet Access Point Software (IOS XE Controller)

## Remediation

Cisco has released software updates that address this vulnerability. https://software.cisco.com