CVE-2007-5420 in 3crwe554g72t
Summary
by MITRE
The 3Com 3CRWER100-75 router with 1.2.10ww software, when remote management is disabled but a web server has been configured, serves a web page to external clients, which might allow remote attackers to obtain information about the router s existence and product details.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5420 affects the 3Com 3CRWER100-75 wireless router running firmware version 1.2.10ww and represents a significant information disclosure issue that violates fundamental security principles of network device configuration. This flaw occurs when remote management capabilities are disabled within the router's configuration, yet the web-based management interface remains active and accessible to external network clients. The vulnerability stems from improper access control implementation where the device fails to properly restrict web server access based on the remote management setting status, creating an inconsistent security posture that exposes internal device information to unauthorized external parties.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper information exposure, and demonstrates a classic case of inadequate access control mechanisms. The router's web server continues to serve content and respond to external requests even when remote management has been explicitly disabled through configuration settings, creating a scenario where attackers can gather detailed information about the device's existence, model, and firmware version without requiring authentication or authorization. This behavior violates the principle of least privilege and creates a reconnaissance opportunity for threat actors who can use this information to build targeted attack profiles specific to the affected device model and firmware version.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with crucial intelligence for subsequent exploitation attempts. The exposed product details and firmware version information can be used to identify known vulnerabilities specific to that router model and software version, enabling more sophisticated attack vectors such as exploit development or targeted malware deployment. Additionally, the vulnerability undermines the network administrator's security controls by creating an unexpected access point that bypasses intended security configurations, potentially leading to further compromise if the device lacks other protective measures such as firewall rules or network segmentation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the web server component entirely when remote management is not required, configuring proper network access controls through firewall rules, and ensuring that all network devices undergo regular security assessments to identify similar configuration inconsistencies. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper security configuration management and the need for comprehensive testing of security controls to verify that disabling one security feature does not inadvertently leave other attack surfaces exposed. Network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation strategies and regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify and remediate similar issues across their infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining consistent security postures across all network components and the potential consequences of configuration inconsistencies that can expose otherwise secure systems to external threats.