CVE-2004-2326 in Netaccess Wireless Hotspots
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in IP3 Networks NetAccess Appliance before firmware 3.1.18b13 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via the (1) login or (2) password. NOTE: this issue was later reported to also affect firmware 4.0.34.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2024
The CVE-2004-2326 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the ip3 networks netaccess appliance that significantly undermines the device's authentication security mechanisms. This vulnerability affects firmware versions prior to 3.1.18b13 and was subsequently confirmed to impact version 4.0.34, demonstrating the persistence and severity of the underlying issue. The vulnerability specifically targets the login and password authentication parameters, creating a pathway for remote attackers to circumvent the appliance's security controls without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this sql injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the appliance's web interface authentication handlers. When users attempt to log in or reset passwords through the web-based management interface, the system fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into sql queries. This allows malicious actors to inject specially crafted sql commands that manipulate the authentication process, effectively bypassing the normal login procedures and gaining unauthorized access to the appliance's administrative functions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a severe risk to network security infrastructure as it enables remote attackers to gain full administrative control over the ip3 networks netaccess appliance. The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access since the appliance likely serves as a gateway or firewall component within network perimeters, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points or to compromise downstream network resources. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 sql injection weakness classification and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input validation and parameterized queries. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1190 exploit public-facing application, where attackers target web applications to gain initial access to network environments. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects multiple firmware versions, indicating that the root cause was not properly addressed in subsequent releases, creating a persistent security gap that organizations must actively manage.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to versions 3.1.18b13 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the sql injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the appliance to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual authentication patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify other potentially affected devices that may share similar authentication mechanisms or security flaws, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar attack vectors.