CVE-2007-5385 in SpeedTouch 7G router
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the Thomson/Alcatel SpeedTouch 7G router, as used for the BT Home Hub 6.2.6.B and earlier, allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2017
The CVE-2007-5385 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Thomson/Alcatel SpeedTouch 7G router firmware, specifically affecting BT Home Hub devices running version 6.2.6.B and earlier. This vulnerability falls under the category of cross-site scripting attacks, which are among the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws. The vulnerability exists within the web-based administration interface of the router, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit it without requiring physical access or authentication. The affected devices are widely deployed in residential and small office environments, creating a substantial attack surface for potential exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the router's web interface components. Attackers can leverage unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts or HTML code into the router's administrative pages, which are then executed in the context of other users who access the interface. This flaw creates a persistent security risk because the injected code can manipulate the router's configuration, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious websites. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the management interface that legitimate users access to configure their network settings, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate and malicious requests.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-5385 extends beyond simple data theft or display manipulation, as it can enable complete compromise of the affected network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the router's configuration, potentially allowing them to modify firewall settings, change DNS configurations, or redirect traffic through malicious proxies. This capability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol: DNS, where attackers can manipulate network infrastructure to redirect traffic. The vulnerability also represents a significant risk to network security posture, as routers serve as gateways for all network traffic and often contain sensitive information about the internal network topology.
The implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe in residential and small office environments where these routers are commonly deployed without proper security hardening or monitoring. The widespread deployment of affected devices means that a single exploited vulnerability could potentially compromise thousands of individual networks simultaneously. Network administrators and security professionals should consider this vulnerability when assessing their network security posture, as it demonstrates the critical importance of securing network infrastructure devices that are often overlooked in traditional security assessments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how embedded network devices can become attack vectors when proper security controls are not implemented. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation further compounds the risk, as it requires no specialized credentials or access privileges to launch an attack.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-5385 should focus on immediate firmware updates from the manufacturer, as well as network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement network access controls to limit access to router administration interfaces and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures for network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and security patches for all network equipment, as older versions often contain unpatched security flaws that remain exploitable for years after initial discovery. Security teams should monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and implement intrusion detection systems that can identify potential XSS attack signatures in network traffic.