CVE-2008-1259 in P-2602HW-D1A
Summary
by MITRE
The Zyxel P-2602HW-D1A router with 3.40(AJZ.1) firmware maintains authentication state by IP address, which allows remote attackers to bypass authentication by establishing a session from a source IP address of a user who previously authenticated within the previous 5 minutes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2017
The CVE-2008-1259 vulnerability affects the Zyxel P-2602HW-D1A router running firmware version 3.40(AJZ.1) and represents a significant authentication bypass flaw that stems from improper session management practices. This vulnerability exploits the router's authentication mechanism which relies on IP address tracking rather than robust session tokens or credentials, creating a fundamental security weakness in the device's access control system. The flaw specifically allows remote attackers to impersonate authenticated users by leveraging the router's IP-based session tracking method, which maintains authentication state for a limited time window of five minutes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insufficient session management, where the router fails to properly validate user credentials during subsequent access attempts. The authentication system maintains a mapping between IP addresses and authenticated sessions, but this approach lacks the cryptographic integrity and uniqueness required for secure session handling. When a legitimate user authenticates to the router, their session remains active for five minutes based on their source IP address, but this mechanism provides no protection against IP address reuse or spoofing attacks. Attackers can exploit this by establishing a connection from an IP address that was previously used by an authenticated user, effectively hijacking that session and gaining unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform administrative functions on the affected router without proper credentials. This includes configuration changes, firmware updates, network modifications, and potential access to sensitive network information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote exploitation without requiring any local access or physical presence, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise network infrastructure. The five-minute window creates a window of opportunity for attackers to establish sessions and gain access, while also potentially allowing for multiple attack attempts within a short timeframe.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-613, which addresses insufficient session expiration, and demonstrates weaknesses in the router's authentication state management. The issue also relates to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as attackers can effectively use stolen session information to gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability represents a failure in implementing proper session management best practices, including the use of cryptographically secure session identifiers, proper session validation mechanisms, and robust authentication protocols. Organizations using affected Zyxel routers should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates, network segmentation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The flaw underscores the importance of proper session management design and highlights the critical need for robust authentication mechanisms in network infrastructure devices, particularly those handling sensitive administrative functions.