CVE-2004-2045 in Cadslr1 Adsl Router
Summary
by MITRE
The HTTP administration interface on Conceptronic CADSLR1 ADSL router running firmware 3.04n allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device reboot) via an HTTP request with a long username.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2024
The CVE-2004-2045 vulnerability affects the Conceptronic CADSLR1 ADSL router with firmware version 3.04n, specifically targeting its HTTP administration interface. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when the device processes HTTP requests containing excessively long username parameters. The vulnerability resides in the router's web-based management system which fails to properly validate input length before processing user credentials, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation within the router's web server component. When an HTTP request is sent to the administration interface containing a username parameter exceeding the allocated buffer size, the device's memory management fails to handle the overflow gracefully. This results in the device crashing and subsequently rebooting, effectively causing a denial of service condition that disrupts network connectivity for all users relying on the router. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack and specifically targets the authentication mechanism of the web interface.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network availability and business continuity. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw from any location with internet access to repeatedly reboot the device, creating persistent service disruptions that may last until manual intervention occurs. The attack vector requires no authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed by anyone who can reach the router's IP address. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to system instability and denial of service scenarios.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple disruption as it can be combined with other attack vectors to create more sophisticated compromise scenarios. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, particularly when dealing with legacy network equipment that may not receive security updates. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and boundary checking in network device firmware. Organizations should prioritize patching or replacing affected devices, as firmware updates are typically available from the vendor to address this specific buffer overflow condition.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure from potentially compromised devices, implementing firewall rules to restrict access to the router's administration interface, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized access attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other network devices, particularly legacy equipment that may contain unpatched buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The remediation process involves updating the router firmware to a version that properly validates username input length, ensuring that all user-supplied data is checked against predefined maximum length parameters before processing occurs.