CVE-2003-1346 in DWL-900AP+
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link wireless access point DWL-900AP+ 2.2, 2.3 and possibly 2.5 allows remote attackers to set factory default settings by upgrading the firmware using AirPlus Access Point Manager.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1346 affects D-Link wireless access point models DWL-900AP+ running firmware versions 2.2, 2.3, and potentially 2.5. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the device's firmware update mechanism that enables unauthorized remote attackers to reset the access point to its factory default configuration. The vulnerability specifically exploits the AirPlus Access Point Manager software interface used for firmware upgrades, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the update process and effectively compromise the device's security posture.
This vulnerability falls under the category of improper privilege management and weak access controls as defined by CWE-284, where the firmware update process lacks proper authentication mechanisms to verify the legitimacy of firmware images being installed. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to bypass normal security controls by leveraging the legitimate firmware upgrade functionality to execute unauthorized configuration changes. The technical implementation appears to involve insufficient validation of firmware packages during the upgrade process, enabling attackers to supply malicious or default firmware images that trigger the factory reset functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it fundamentally undermines the security of wireless network infrastructure. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can reset the access point to factory defaults, which typically includes restoring default administrative credentials, clearing custom network configurations, and potentially exposing the device to further attacks. This reset operation effectively nullifies any security hardening measures that network administrators may have implemented, such as custom passwords, network segmentation, or security policies. The vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that can be repeatedly exploited, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where wireless access points serve as critical network entry points.
The attack vector for this vulnerability is remote and requires minimal privileges, making it highly exploitable in practice. An attacker only needs access to the network to interact with the AirPlus Access Point Manager interface and can leverage the firmware upgrade process to perform unauthorized configuration changes. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for phishing, as the attack can be initiated through network-based interactions without requiring physical access to the device. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical access point management interfaces, deploy network monitoring to detect unusual firmware update activities, and ensure firmware images are validated through secure channels before deployment. Regular security assessments should verify that access point configurations remain intact and that no unauthorized reset operations have occurred. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing firmware integrity checking mechanisms and maintaining detailed logs of all firmware update activities to detect potential exploitation attempts.