CVE-2007-0435 in Speedport 500v
Summary
by MITRE
T-Com Speedport 500V routers with firmware 1.31 allow remote attackers to bypass authentication and reconfigure the device via a LOGINKEY=TECOM cookie value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2017
The T-Com Speedport 500V router vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw that allows remote attackers to gain administrative access to network devices without proper credentials. This vulnerability specifically affects firmware version 1.31 and demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the device's session management and authentication mechanisms. The flaw enables attackers to manipulate the LOGINKEY=TECOM cookie value to bypass the standard authentication process and assume full administrative control over the affected routers. This issue falls under the category of weak session management and improper authentication handling, which are commonly classified under CWE-613 and CWE-287 respectively. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it allows remote exploitation without requiring any local access or prior authentication credentials, making it highly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's insecure handling of authentication cookies and session tokens. When the router processes authentication requests, it fails to properly validate or regenerate session identifiers, instead relying on predictable or easily manipulable cookie values. The LOGINKEY=TECOM parameter serves as a critical authentication token that should normally be generated securely and validated against legitimate user sessions. However, the implementation allows attackers to craft or modify this cookie value to gain unauthorized access. This weakness directly violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and NIST SP 800-53, which emphasize the importance of secure session management and proper authentication controls. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no specialized tools beyond basic web browsing capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected network infrastructure. Once authenticated, an attacker can modify router configurations, change network settings, implement malicious routing rules, and potentially establish backdoors for persistent access. This level of control enables attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks, redirect traffic, disable security features, and compromise the entire network ecosystem. The vulnerability also presents significant risks for enterprise environments where these devices may be deployed in critical network segments, potentially allowing attackers to pivot to internal network resources or establish command and control channels. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) as attackers can leverage this access to maintain persistence and escalate privileges within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates and network segmentation approaches. The most effective solution involves upgrading to firmware versions that properly implement secure session management and authentication mechanisms, ensuring that cookie values are properly validated and regenerated. Network administrators should implement strict access controls, including firewall rules that limit access to router management interfaces to trusted IP ranges only. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control measures and regularly auditing router configurations to detect unauthorized changes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure development practices and proper security testing of network equipment, particularly in the context of embedded systems where authentication mechanisms may be inadequately implemented. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure components.