CVE-2001-1220 in DWL-1000AP
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DWL-1000AP Firmware 3.2.28 #483 Wireless LAN Access Point stores the administrative password in plaintext in the default Management Information Base (MIB), which allows remote attackers to gain administrative privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1220 affects the D-Link DWL-1000AP Wireless LAN Access Point running firmware version 3.2.28 build 483. This represents a critical security flaw in the device's configuration management system where administrative credentials are stored in an insecure manner within the default Management Information Base. The issue stems from the firmware's design decision to maintain the administrative password in plaintext format rather than implementing proper cryptographic protection mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the category of weak credential storage as defined by CWE-522, which specifically addresses insufficiently protected credentials within information systems. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the device's management interface and gain full administrative control over the wireless access point.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the device's MIB structure, which serves as the authoritative repository for network management information. When the administrative password is configured through the device's management interface, it gets stored in the MIB without any form of encryption or obfuscation. This plaintext storage mechanism means that any attacker who can access the MIB through legitimate network management protocols such as SNMP can directly retrieve the administrative password. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows for remote exploitation without requiring any authentication or privileged access to the device's local management interface. This design flaw creates a persistent security risk that remains active until the device is physically secured or the firmware is updated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete network compromise. Once an attacker gains administrative privileges, they can modify the wireless access point's configuration to redirect network traffic, disable security features, or establish backdoors for persistent access. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the network without requiring physical proximity to the device. This vulnerability directly aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation tactic. Additionally, the flaw enables attackers to perform reconnaissance activities such as network mapping and traffic analysis, as the administrative account would have full visibility into the wireless network operations. The persistent nature of this vulnerability means that even if network administrators are aware of it, the device remains vulnerable until remediated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2001-1220 should include immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the plaintext storage issue, along with network segmentation to limit access to the management interfaces. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring of SNMP traffic to detect unauthorized access attempts. The implementation of network access control lists and firewall rules can help restrict access to the device's management ports. Additionally, organizations should consider replacing affected devices with models that properly implement credential encryption mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration practices and proper credential handling as outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001. Regular vulnerability assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other network infrastructure components. Organizations should also establish proper incident response procedures to address potential exploitation of this vulnerability and maintain detailed logs of management interface access for forensic analysis purposes.