CVE-2007-6702 in FS4104-AW
Summary
by MITRE
goform/QuickStart_c0 on the GoAhead Web Server on the FS4104-AW (aka rooter) VDSL device contains a password in the typepassword field, which allows remote attackers to obtain this password by reading the HTML source, a different vulnerability than CVE-2002-1603.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6702 affects the GoAhead Web Server implementation on the FS4104-AW VDSL router device, commonly known as the rooter. This issue represents a critical configuration flaw that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper web interface design. The vulnerability specifically resides within the goform/QuickStart_c0 web form handler where administrative passwords are transmitted in cleartext within the HTML source code, making them accessible to any remote attacker who can observe the page source. This represents a fundamental failure in secure web application development practices where sensitive data should never be transmitted in an unencrypted format within client-side code.
The technical flaw manifests as a clear text credential exposure vulnerability where the password field named typepassword contains the actual password value rather than a placeholder or hash value. This design decision violates multiple security principles including the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-522 (Insufficiently Protected Credentials), both of which are well-documented in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. Attackers can exploit this by simply viewing the HTML source of the web interface page, eliminating the need for complex exploitation techniques or authentication bypasses. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be discovered and exploited by any attacker with basic web browsing capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for network administrators who rely on the device for their network infrastructure. The exposure of administrative passwords allows remote attackers to gain full control over the VDSL router, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent access points within the network. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as the compromised device can serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) where the attacker can leverage the exposed credentials for privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability affects both internal and external network security posture, as the exposed credentials can be used to compromise network access from any location where the device is accessible.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to address the root cause of the cleartext password exposure. Network administrators should implement immediate network segmentation to limit access to the affected device, disable unnecessary web services, and apply firmware updates if available from the manufacturer. The most effective long-term solution involves modifying the web server configuration to ensure that sensitive information is never transmitted in cleartext within HTML source code. Security measures should include implementing proper authentication mechanisms, using encrypted communication channels, and ensuring that all administrative interfaces require secure connections. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other network devices and establish secure configuration baselines that prevent the storage of sensitive information in cleartext within web interfaces. Regular security audits and network monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized access attempts and ensure that such vulnerabilities are not present in other network infrastructure components.