CVE-2008-6974 in DD-WRT
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in apply.cgi in DD-WRT 24 sp1 and earlier allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) execute arbitrary commands via the ping_ip parameter; (2) change the administrative credentials via the http_username and http_passwd parameters; (3) enable remote administration via the remote_management parameter; or (4) configure port forwarding via certain from, to, ip, and pro parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The CVE-2008-6974 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw in DD-WRT firmware versions 24 sp1 and earlier, specifically within the apply.cgi script that governs administrative functions. This vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which categorizes cross-site request forgery as a fundamental web application security weakness where an attacker can trick authenticated users into executing unwanted actions. The flaw exists in the web interface's handling of administrative requests, allowing remote attackers to manipulate administrative functions without proper authentication by exploiting the lack of proper CSRF token validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability enables attackers to perform four distinct types of malicious operations through carefully crafted HTTP requests. The first attack vector targets the ping_ip parameter, which when manipulated allows execution of arbitrary commands on the affected device, potentially enabling full system compromise. The second vector exploits the http_username and http_passwd parameters to change administrative credentials, effectively granting attackers persistent access to the device. The third vector manipulates the remote_management parameter to enable remote administration capabilities, while the fourth vector targets port forwarding configuration through parameters including from, to, ip, and pro, allowing attackers to redirect network traffic through compromised devices.
This vulnerability presents significant operational impact as it allows remote attackers to gain complete administrative control over affected DD-WRT devices. The implications extend beyond simple credential theft, as attackers can execute arbitrary code on the device, modify network configurations, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The attack requires no authentication from the victim, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through social engineering or by tricking administrators into visiting malicious websites. The vulnerability affects a wide range of network devices including routers, access points, and wireless bridges, creating a substantial attack surface for threat actors.
The exploitation of CVE-2008-6974 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072, which covers software deployment methods, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to deploy malicious configurations and establish persistent access. Organizations using affected DD-WRT versions face severe security implications, as the vulnerability enables lateral movement within networks and can be used as a stepping stone for broader attacks. The impact is particularly concerning given that DD-WRT is widely deployed in both enterprise and home networks, creating potential for large-scale compromise. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to versions containing CSRF token validation, network segmentation to limit exposure, and implementing additional security controls such as firewall rules and monitoring for suspicious network activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in embedded web interfaces, particularly those managing critical network infrastructure components.