CVE-2008-1244 in F5D7230-4
Summary
by MITRE
cgi-bin/setup_dns.exe on the Belkin F5D7230-4 router with firmware 9.01.10 does not require authentication, which allows remote attackers to perform administrative actions, as demonstrated by changing a DNS server via the dns1_1, dns1_2, dns1_3, and dns1_4 parameters. NOTE: it was later reported that F5D7632-4V6 with firmware 6.01.08 is also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1244 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in Belkin networking equipment, specifically affecting the F5D7230-4 and F5D7632-4V6 router models. This issue stems from improper access controls within the web-based management interface, where the cgi-bin/setup_dns.exe script fails to validate user credentials before executing administrative functions. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to manipulate core network configuration parameters, including DNS server settings, which can fundamentally alter network traffic routing and potentially enable man-in-the-middle attacks or network disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a weak authentication mechanism within the router's embedded web server. When attackers access the specific URL path containing setup_dns.exe, they can directly manipulate the dns1_1, dns1_2, dns1_3, and dns1_4 parameters without providing any authentication credentials. This design flaw falls under CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization controls in network device management interfaces. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, exploiting the router's HTTP server implementation to execute administrative commands remotely.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple DNS modification, as it provides attackers with the capability to completely compromise network security posture. By changing DNS server parameters, adversaries can redirect network traffic to malicious servers, enabling various attack vectors including phishing, malware distribution, and network monitoring. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential harvesting, as the lack of authentication makes it easier to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to other network resources. Network administrators who rely on these routers for their security infrastructure face significant risk of unauthorized network manipulation and potential data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Belkin, as the issue affects multiple router models within the Belkin F5D7230-4 and F5D7632-4V6 product lines. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to router management interfaces, particularly from untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive network audits to identify all affected devices and ensure that administrative interfaces are not exposed to the internet. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure configuration practices and proper authentication mechanisms in embedded network devices, aligning with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-44 and the OWASP Top 10 for web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts to router management interfaces and establish regular security assessments of their network infrastructure.