Despite lively starts from both sides, it was not until midway through the first half that a keeper was called into action when Kasper Schmeichel reacted superbly to deny Richard Stearman at point-blank range after Alan Sheehan's free-kick had been helped on by Iain Hume and Matty Fryatt.
Sheehan was also the provider of the home side's next chance when his curling cross to the far post was nodded over by Stephen Clemence.
In an even contest, Cardiff enjoyed plenty of possession but their closest threat on goal before the break came from the boot of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who thundered a 25-yard free-kick just over the bar.
Leicester's Joe Mattock then tried his luck from a similar distance with a rising shot which also failed to find its target.
Paul Parry made way for Peter Whittingham for the start of the second half, and the switch almost paid instant dividends for Cardiff, with the substitute striking the bar from 25 yards inside a minute of the restart.
On the hour mark, slack defending by the home side let in Gavin Rae, with the Cardiff midfielder disappointed to scoop a chance over the bar.
Steve Thompson then saw his 20-yard drive saved by Martin Fulop as the visitors continued to look the more dangerous.
But it was the Foxes who almost broke the deadlock on 68 minutes when Hume's 20-yard shot struck the post and then rebounded off Schmeichel's back for a corner which the Bluebirds were grateful to clear.
And then Leicester struck the woodwork again when Fryatt's header from a Sheehan corner hit the base of the post, with Cardiff again able to clear.
The game ended with Leicester the stronger of the sides but, despite laying siege to the visitors goal, the Cardiff defence held firm for a deserved draw.