CVE-2004-1685 in SMC7004VWBR
Summary
by MITRE
SMC routers SMC7004VWBR running firmware 1.00.014 and SMC7008ABR EU running firmware 1.42.003 allow remote attackers to bypass authentication by connecting to it from the same IP address as the administrator who is logged in, then accessing the setup_status.htm or status.HTM pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2017
This vulnerability affects SMC routers including the SMC7004VWBR with firmware version 1.00.014 and SMC7008ABR EU with firmware version 1.42.003, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables unauthorized remote access to administrative functions. The vulnerability stems from improper session management and authentication mechanisms within the router's web interface implementation, specifically in how the system handles concurrent connections from the same IP address. When an administrator logs into the router's web management interface, the system fails to properly validate subsequent connections from that same IP address, allowing any remote attacker who can establish a connection from the administrator's IP address to access sensitive administrative pages without proper authentication credentials.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a simple yet effective attack pattern where an attacker connects to the router from the same IP address that an administrator is currently using, then navigates to specific status pages such as setup_status.htm or status.HTM. These pages typically contain sensitive information about the router's configuration, network settings, and administrative functions. The flaw exists because the router's authentication system does not properly enforce session isolation or IP binding restrictions, creating a window where unauthorized access can occur. This issue falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, specifically related to weak session management and improper access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows remote attackers to gain full administrative access to network infrastructure devices without requiring valid credentials or exploiting other vulnerabilities. This compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the entire network, as attackers can modify router configurations, change network settings, access sensitive data, and potentially establish persistent access points. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal technical expertise to exploit and can be performed remotely without physical access to the device. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for Valid Accounts and T1566.001 for Phishing, as it leverages existing administrative sessions to gain unauthorized access. Network administrators may not be immediately aware of the compromise since the attack occurs through legitimate administrative sessions, making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from SMC to address the authentication bypass flaw, proper network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and implementation of network access controls that restrict access to router management interfaces based on IP addresses and authentication requirements. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual access patterns and establish robust network access policies that require strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication for administrative access. Additionally, network administrators should regularly audit router configurations and implement network intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper session management and access control implementation in network infrastructure devices, as outlined in cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001, which emphasize the need for robust authentication and access control mechanisms in critical network infrastructure components.