CVE-2010-2025 in Scientific Atlanta WebSTAR DPC2100R2
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the web interface on the Cisco Scientific Atlanta WebSTAR DPC2100R2 cable modem with firmware 2.0.2r1256-060303 allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) reset the modem, (2) erase the firmware, (3) change the administrative password, (4) install modified firmware, or (5) change the access level, as demonstrated by a request to goform/_aslvl.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2025 represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness in the Cisco Scientific Atlanta WebSTAR DPC2100R2 cable modem's web interface. This flaw resides in the authentication mechanism of the device's web administration portal, specifically in firmware version 2.0.2r1256-060303, creating a significant security risk for network administrators and end users who rely on this equipment for internet connectivity. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to exploit the lack of proper authentication verification mechanisms, enabling them to execute administrative actions without legitimate authorization. The affected device operates with a web-based management interface that fails to implement adequate CSRF protection measures, making it susceptible to exploitation through malicious web pages or crafted requests that leverage the trust relationship between the browser and the vulnerable device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP requests that target specific administrative functions within the modem's web interface. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or send specially formatted requests to the vulnerable device's goform/_aslvl endpoint, which serves as the entry point for executing administrative operations. The five primary attack vectors include resetting the modem to factory defaults, erasing the existing firmware, changing the administrative password, installing modified firmware versions, and altering access levels within the device's configuration. These operations represent high-impact administrative capabilities that fundamentally compromise the device's security posture and network access control. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, demonstrating how the absence of proper request validation and authentication verification creates persistent security weaknesses in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete compromise of the network infrastructure managed by the affected modem. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability can effectively take control of the cable modem's administrative functions, potentially leading to network disruption, unauthorized access to network services, or even complete network isolation. The ability to reset the modem or erase firmware creates a denial-of-service scenario that could affect internet connectivity for multiple users, while the capability to change administrative passwords or install modified firmware allows for persistent unauthorized access and potential data exfiltration. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise and residential networks that depend on cable modem infrastructure, as it enables attackers to manipulate network configurations without requiring physical access or prior authentication credentials. The risk is exacerbated by the fact that the vulnerability exists in the web interface, making exploitation possible through simple web browser interactions rather than requiring complex technical skills or specialized tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the immediate security concerns and the underlying architectural weaknesses that enable CSRF attacks. Organizations should implement proper CSRF token validation mechanisms within the web interface, ensuring that each administrative request includes unique, unpredictable tokens that verify the authenticity of the user's intent. The implementation of SameSite cookies and additional request origin validation can significantly reduce the attack surface for such vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access control measures should be employed to limit direct administrative access to critical network devices, while regular firmware updates and security assessments can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The use of network monitoring tools to detect unusual administrative activity or unauthorized configuration changes can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms for administrative access and regularly review their network device security configurations to ensure compliance with industry best practices. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper web application security design and the necessity of implementing comprehensive security controls throughout the network infrastructure, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access through web-based attacks.