CVE-2005-2391 in OfficeConnect Wireless 11g Access Point
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless 11g Access Point before 1.03.12 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via the web interface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/03/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2391 affects the 3Com OfficeConnect Wireless 11g Access Point firmware version prior to 1.03.12, representing a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive system information through the device's web-based management interface. This issue falls under the broader category of information disclosure vulnerabilities, where unauthorized remote attackers can exploit weaknesses in the device's authentication and authorization mechanisms to gain access to confidential data that should remain protected within the network infrastructure.
The technical flaw resides in the web interface implementation of the wireless access point, where insufficient input validation and improper access controls allow malicious actors to retrieve sensitive configuration data, user credentials, and potentially network topology information without proper authentication. The vulnerability stems from inadequate session management and privilege escalation mechanisms that fail to properly verify user permissions before serving sensitive information. This weakness creates an attack surface where remote exploitation is possible without requiring any special privileges or credentials, making the device particularly susceptible to automated scanning and exploitation by threat actors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability compromises the fundamental security posture of wireless networks relying on 3Com OfficeConnect devices, as it enables attackers to obtain critical network information that could facilitate further attacks. The disclosure of sensitive information through the web interface may include administrative credentials, network configuration parameters, wireless security settings, and other proprietary data that could be leveraged for lateral movement within the network or for more sophisticated attacks. The remote nature of the exploitation means that attackers can target these devices from outside the network perimeter, significantly expanding their attack surface and reducing the effectiveness of traditional network segmentation controls.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a classic example of improper access control where sensitive data is exposed to unauthorized users. This weakness can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1083, "File and Directory Discovery," as attackers can use the vulnerability to enumerate and extract sensitive files and configuration data from the device. Organizations utilizing these access points face significant risk of network compromise, as the exposed information can provide attackers with detailed knowledge of the wireless infrastructure, enabling them to craft targeted attacks against the network.
Effective mitigation strategies include immediate firmware updates to version 1.03.12 or later, which contain patches addressing the information disclosure vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting access to the web interface through firewall rules, disabling unnecessary services, and implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular vulnerability assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to identify any remaining devices that may be running vulnerable firmware versions. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date network infrastructure and demonstrates how seemingly minor configuration flaws can create significant security risks when exploited by determined attackers in the context of modern threat landscapes.