CVE-2007-3574 in WAG54GS
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in setup.cgi on the Cisco Linksys WAG54GS Wireless-G ADSL Gateway with 1.00.06 firmware allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) c4_trap_ip_, (2) devname, (3) snmp_getcomm, or (4) snmp_setcomm parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The CVE-2007-3574 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Cisco Linksys WAG54GS Wireless-G ADSL Gateway device. This vulnerability exists within the setup.cgi web interface component of the device's firmware version 1.00.06, making it susceptible to exploitation by remote attackers without requiring any authentication or privileged access. The affected device operates as a wireless gateway that combines routing, switching, and wireless access point functionalities, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise home or small office networks. The vulnerability specifically affects parameters within the web interface that handle configuration data for network settings and management functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the setup.cgi script. Attackers can exploit four distinct parameters to inject malicious scripts including c4_trap_ip_, devname, snmp_getcomm, and snmp_setcomm. These parameters are used to configure various network management functions including SNMP community strings and trap destinations. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input containing HTML or JavaScript code is directly processed and returned to users without proper encoding or filtering. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that execute within the context of authenticated users' browsers, leveraging the device's legitimate web interface to deliver harmful content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, creating significant security risks for affected networks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious JavaScript code within the browser of any user who accesses the affected web interface, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability affects the device's management interface, which means that any user with access to the web-based configuration portal could be compromised. This creates a persistent threat vector since the device's web interface remains accessible to anyone who knows the device's IP address and has the ability to send HTTP requests to it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where physical security is not maintained.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Cisco, as the flaw exists at the firmware level and cannot be addressed through network configuration changes alone. Network administrators should implement strict network segmentation to limit access to the device's management interface, restricting access to trusted IP addresses and implementing firewall rules to prevent unauthorized access. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how unvalidated input can lead to serious security consequences. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566, specifically the technique of "Phishing with Malicious File" as attackers could use the XSS capability to redirect users to malicious sites or inject content that appears legitimate. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the affected parameters, and establish monitoring procedures to identify potential exploitation attempts through unusual traffic patterns or access logs.