CVE-2008-1247 in WRT54g
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface on the Linksys WRT54g router with firmware 1.00.9 does not require credentials when invoking scripts, which allows remote attackers to perform arbitrary administrative actions via a direct request to (1) Advanced.tri, (2) AdvRoute.tri, (3) Basic.tri, (4) ctlog.tri, (5) ddns.tri, (6) dmz.tri, (7) factdefa.tri, (8) filter.tri, (9) fw.tri, (10) manage.tri, (11) ping.tri, (12) PortRange.tri, (13) ptrigger.tri, (14) qos.tri, (15) rstatus.tri, (16) tracert.tri, (17) vpn.tri, (18) WanMac.tri, (19) WBasic.tri, or (20) WFilter.tri. NOTE: the Security.tri vector is already covered by CVE-2006-5202.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1247 affects the Linksys WRT54g wireless router running firmware version 1.00.9 and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the device's web interface. This vulnerability stems from the absence of proper credential validation mechanisms when executing specific administrative scripts through direct HTTP requests. The affected router exposes multiple script endpoints that can be invoked without authentication, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote attackers to execute administrative functions directly through web requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the web server component of the router's firmware failing to enforce authentication checks for a comprehensive set of administrative scripts. When an attacker accesses any of the twenty specified endpoints including Advanced.tri, Basic.tri, or dmz.tri, the system processes the request without verifying user credentials or session tokens. This design flaw creates a persistent security gap that allows remote exploitation without requiring prior authentication or network access privileges. The vulnerability specifically impacts the router's administrative interface, which typically requires legitimate credentials to modify network configurations, manage users, or access sensitive system settings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables complete remote administrative control over the affected router. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to perform arbitrary administrative actions such as modifying network settings, changing administrator passwords, configuring port forwarding rules, enabling or disabling security features, and potentially gaining access to the underlying network. The exposure of these administrative endpoints creates a backdoor that allows attackers to compromise the entire network infrastructure controlled by the router, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, network monitoring, or complete network takeover. This vulnerability essentially removes the authentication barrier that should protect critical router functions from unauthorized access.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems, and demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization controls. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for malicious file execution, as attackers can leverage the exposed administrative interfaces to establish persistent access and execute malicious configurations. The exposure of these administrative scripts without authentication creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, making it particularly dangerous in environments where routers are accessible from external networks. Network administrators should consider this vulnerability as a critical security risk that requires immediate remediation through firmware updates or network segmentation measures to prevent unauthorized access to router administrative interfaces.
The affected router models and firmware versions represent a significant security concern for organizations and individuals who have not updated their networking equipment. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple administrative endpoints increases the attack surface significantly, as each exposed script provides different capabilities for compromising the router's configuration and network security posture. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication implementation in network device interfaces and demonstrates how simple oversight in credential validation can lead to complete system compromise. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to router administrative interfaces and ensure that all network devices receive regular security updates to address known vulnerabilities.