CVE-2004-0670 in Prestige Router
Summary
by MITRE
Prestige 650HW-31 running Rompager 4.7 software allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reboot) via a long password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0670 affects the Prestige 650HW-31 wireless router device running Rompager 4.7 firmware software. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the device processes excessively long password inputs during authentication attempts. The flaw exists in the firmware's handling of user credentials, specifically within the password validation routine where input length is not properly constrained. The device's operating system fails to implement adequate bounds checking mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to exploit this weakness through crafted input sequences.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the authentication subsystem. When a remote attacker submits a password exceeding the device's expected buffer size, the system overflows the allocated memory space and triggers an abrupt system termination. This results in an uncontrolled device reboot, effectively creating a denial of service condition that disrupts network connectivity for legitimate users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations and corrupt the device's execution flow.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network availability and service continuity. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit the flaw without physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise and residential environments where wireless infrastructure is critical. Network administrators face the challenge of maintaining service availability while the device remains vulnerable to exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the device may require manual intervention to restore normal operation, potentially causing extended downtime and productivity losses.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks. The exploitation process requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated through readily available tools, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt network services. The device's default configuration and lack of input sanitization create an ideal environment for exploitation. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous authentication attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor secure coding practices that should be addressed through comprehensive firmware security reviews.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from the vendor when available, though this particular vulnerability may have been addressed in later versions of the Rompager software. Network segmentation can help limit the impact by isolating affected devices from critical infrastructure. Implementing rate limiting on authentication attempts and monitoring for unusual password length patterns provides additional defensive layers. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary services and ensuring that only authorized users can access the device's administrative interface. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure firmware development practices and regular security assessments of network infrastructure components.