CVE-2004-1790 in Full Rate ADSL Router
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the web management interface in Edimax AR-6004 ADSL Routers allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The CVE-2004-1790 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the web management interface of Edimax AR-6004 ADSL routers. This vulnerability resides within the router's web-based administration panel, which serves as the primary interface for configuring and managing router settings. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against users who access the router's management interface, creating a significant security risk for network administrators and end users who rely on these devices for internet connectivity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the router's web interface. When users navigate to specific URLs within the management interface, the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input parameters before incorporating them into web responses. This allows attackers to inject malicious HTML code or JavaScript payloads through crafted URL parameters, which then execute in the context of other users' browsers who visit the compromised interface. The vulnerability specifically affects the URL handling mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as users may unknowingly trigger the malicious code while performing routine administrative tasks.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1790 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to sensitive network configuration data and administrative privileges. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to modify router settings, redirect traffic, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. Network administrators who regularly access the router's web interface become prime targets for this attack vector, as any interaction with the compromised management page could result in session hijacking or credential theft. The vulnerability essentially transforms the router's management interface from a legitimate administrative tool into a weapon for network infiltration.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web-based management interfaces. From an attack perspective, the flaw maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the web management interface when not actively needed, restricting access to the router's management interface through firewall rules, and ensuring regular firmware updates are applied. The vulnerability also highlights the necessity of network segmentation and the principle of least privilege in network administration, as access to router management interfaces should be strictly limited to authorized personnel with proper authentication mechanisms in place.