CVE-2002-2110 in DCM225
Summary
by MITRE
The RCA Digital Cable Modems DCM225 and DCM225E allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (modem device reset) by connecting to port 80 on the 10.0.0.0/8 device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-2110 affects RCA Digital Cable Modems DCM225 and DCM225E models, representing a significant security flaw in network infrastructure devices that can be exploited remotely to disrupt service availability. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of securing network-facing services even in embedded devices that may not receive regular security updates or patches. The vulnerability exists within the web-based management interface of these cable modems, which listens on the standard HTTP port 80, making it accessible to remote attackers without authentication requirements. The specific flaw allows malicious actors to trigger a complete device reset through a carefully crafted connection to the modem's management interface, effectively causing a denial of service condition that can disrupt internet connectivity for users relying on these devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and improper error handling within the modem's web server implementation. When remote attackers establish a connection to port 80, the device fails to properly validate the incoming requests, allowing specially crafted packets to trigger an internal reset mechanism. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, which aligns with CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation, and represents a classic example of how network services can be exploited to cause system instability. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication credentials and can be executed from any location on the network, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services. The vulnerability affects devices within the 10.0.0.0/8 network range, which is a private address space commonly used in local area networks, indicating that the exploitation can occur from within the local network or through network address translation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect multiple users simultaneously who depend on the same cable modem infrastructure. When a denial of service attack is successfully executed, users experience complete loss of internet connectivity until the device automatically restarts or is manually reset by a network administrator. This vulnerability particularly affects cable modem deployments where multiple users share the same network infrastructure, potentially allowing attackers to target specific devices or cause widespread disruption across network segments. The attack can be automated and executed repeatedly, making it difficult for network administrators to distinguish between legitimate maintenance activities and malicious attacks. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of network segmentation and the need for proper access controls on network management interfaces, as it demonstrates how unauthenticated access to device management services can lead to service disruption. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 - Endpoint Denial of Service, which focuses on causing disruptions to endpoint devices through various methods including network-based attacks.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability involve implementing network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from public or untrusted networks, configuring firewalls to restrict access to port 80 on these devices, and ensuring that devices are properly updated with security patches when available. Network administrators should disable unnecessary services and management interfaces that are not required for device operation, as well as implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms for any remaining management services. Regular network monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual connection patterns or repeated attempts to access management interfaces. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated firmware and security patches for network infrastructure devices, as many of these embedded systems may not receive regular security updates from manufacturers. Additionally, implementing network access control lists and disabling default administrative accounts can help reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with this type of attack and establish incident response procedures to quickly address exploitation attempts.