CVE-2010-2506 in Linksys WAP54G
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in debug.cgi in Linksys WAP54Gv3 firmware 3.05.03 and 3.04.03 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the data1 parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2506 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Linksys WAP54Gv3 wireless access point firmware versions 3.05.03 and 3.04.03. This issue affects the debug.cgi script which is part of the web-based administration interface designed for network device management. The vulnerability specifically resides in the handling of user input through the data1 parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization or validation mechanisms. The affected device operates with a web server that serves administrative interfaces to users managing their wireless networks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring physical access to the device or prior authentication.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the data1 parameter within the debug.cgi script, which is accessible via HTTP requests to the device's web interface. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing script code within the data1 parameter, the web application fails to properly escape or validate the input before rendering it in the web response. This allows arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code to be executed within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected cross-site scripting issue where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the vulnerable script without proper encoding or sanitization of user-supplied data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of the wireless access point. Network administrators who rely on the web interface for device management become vulnerable to attacks that could allow unauthorized access to device configurations, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the network infrastructure by enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code within the browser context of authenticated users. This could result in unauthorized configuration changes, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors within the network environment. The impact is particularly severe because the device serves as a network gateway, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to enterprise networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying the firmware update provided by Linksys to resolve the input validation flaw in the debug.cgi script. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the device to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, and conducting regular security audits of network infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous traffic patterns associated with XSS exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in web applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as defined in cybersecurity best practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application attack vector that could lead to privilege escalation and lateral movement within network environments, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management.