CVE-2008-7115 in F5D7632-4
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface to the Belkin Wireless G router and ADSL2 modem F5D7632-4V6 with firmware 6.01.08 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and gain administrator privileges via a direct request to (1) statusprocess.exe, (2) system_all.exe, or (3) restore.exe in cgi-bin/. NOTE: the setup_dns.exe vector is already covered by CVE-2008-1244.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-7115 affects the Belkin Wireless G router and ADSL2 modem F5D7632-4V6 device with firmware version 6.01.08, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw in the device's web interface implementation. This vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the router's cgi-bin directory, where specific executable files lack adequate authentication checks. The flaw allows remote attackers to directly access administrative functions without proper credential verification, effectively compromising the entire network infrastructure. The affected executables include statusprocess.exe, system_all.exe, and restore.exe, which are designed to provide system status information, configuration management, and restore functionality respectively. These components are typically protected by authentication mechanisms but contain a design flaw that permits unauthorized access through direct URL manipulation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, specifically targeting the web application interface that manages router configuration and monitoring functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic case of insecure direct object reference as classified under CWE-639, where the application fails to verify that the user has proper authorization to access specific system functions. The attack vector exploits the absence of authentication checks in the cgi-bin directory by directly requesting specific executable files, bypassing the normal web interface authentication flow. This allows attackers to execute administrative commands and gain full control over the router's configuration, including access to network settings, firewall rules, DNS configuration, and other critical system parameters. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the router's core management functions, providing attackers with complete administrative access to the device without requiring any valid credentials. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables attackers to modify network configurations, potentially redirecting traffic, disabling security features, or creating backdoors within the network infrastructure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe security risk for home and small office networks that rely on Belkin routers for internet connectivity and network security. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this flaw from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the device or local network presence. Once compromised, the router becomes a potential pivot point for attackers to move laterally within the network, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or establish persistent access to the internal network. The vulnerability also poses significant risks to network confidentiality and integrity, as attackers can modify DNS settings to redirect traffic to malicious sites, change firewall rules to allow unauthorized access, or disable security monitoring capabilities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation and persistence tactics, enabling attackers to establish long-term control over network infrastructure. The impact is amplified by the fact that many users are unaware of their router's administrative capabilities and may not regularly update firmware or change default passwords, making the exploitation more likely and successful.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Belkin to address the authentication bypass flaw, though users should verify that the update resolves all affected executables including statusprocess.exe, system_all.exe, and restore.exe. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as disabling remote management features on routers when possible, using strong authentication credentials, and monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of network segmentation and the principle of least privilege, where router management interfaces should only be accessible from trusted internal networks rather than exposed to the internet. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure devices, including routers, firewalls, and other embedded systems, to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also involve network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts to the cgi-bin directory and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block direct requests to administrative executables. Security awareness training for network administrators is essential to ensure proper configuration and ongoing maintenance of network devices, including regular firmware updates and monitoring for emerging threats targeting embedded network infrastructure.