CVE-2005-3661 in TrueMobile 2300 Wireless Broadband Router
Summary
by MITRE
Dell TrueMobile 2300 Wireless Broadband Router running firmware 3.0.0.8 and 5.1.1.6, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to reset authentication credentials, then change configuration or firmware, via a direct request to apply.cgi with the Page parameter set to adv_password.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
This vulnerability affects Dell TrueMobile 2300 Wireless Broadband Router firmware versions 3.0.0.8 and 5.1.1.6, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote attackers to completely compromise router administration. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the web-based management interface, specifically in the apply.cgi script that processes configuration changes. When an attacker sends a direct HTTP request to apply.cgi with the Page parameter set to adv_password.asp, the router fails to properly authenticate or authorize the request, allowing arbitrary modification of administrative credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages a design flaw in the router's web server component where the Page parameter is directly used to determine which configuration page should be processed without proper validation of user privileges or session authentication. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability, classified under CWE-639, where the application fails to verify that the authenticated user has authorization to access or modify the requested resource. The flaw exists because the router's authentication mechanism does not properly enforce access controls between different administrative functions, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to escalate privileges through manipulation of the Page parameter.
Operationally, this vulnerability provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected routers, enabling them to reset authentication credentials, modify network configurations, update firmware, and potentially gain persistent access to the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple credential compromise as attackers can modify firewall rules, DNS settings, DHCP configurations, and other critical network parameters. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566.001 for phishing with malicious attachments, as it allows attackers to establish persistent access points within corporate networks. The remote nature of the attack means that no physical access or local network presence is required, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where such devices may be exposed to external networks.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from Dell to address the authentication bypass vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical infrastructure, and implementation of network access controls to restrict access to router management interfaces. Organizations should also consider disabling web-based management interfaces when not actively needed and implementing strong, unique administrative passwords with regular rotation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as outlined in OWASP Top 10 A03:2021 - Injection and A07:2021 - Identification and Authentication Failures. Network administrators should also monitor for unauthorized configuration changes and implement intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for secure coding practices and proper authentication mechanisms, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints may lead to implementation shortcuts that compromise security.