CVE-2011-0886 in Smcd3g-ccr Firmware
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the web interface on the SMC SMCD3G-CCR (aka Comcast Business Gateway) with firmware before 1.4.0.49.2 allow remote attackers to (1) hijack the intranet connectivity of arbitrary users for requests that perform a login via goform/login, or hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (2) enable external logins via an mso_remote_enable action to goform/RemoteRange or (3) change DNS settings via a manual_dns_enable action to goform/Basic.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The CVE-2011-0886 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting the SMC SMCD3G-CCR broadband gateway device, specifically impacting firmware versions prior to 1.4.0.49.2. This vulnerability resides within the device's web interface and demonstrates the classic characteristics of CSRF attacks where malicious actors can manipulate authenticated sessions without user knowledge. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely deployed consumer and business gateway device that serves as a primary network access point for numerous users. The flaw stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation mechanisms in the device's web forms, allowing remote attackers to craft malicious requests that execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through three distinct attack vectors that exploit the device's authentication and configuration mechanisms. The first vector targets user sessions by enabling attackers to hijack intranet connectivity through login requests that utilize the goform/login endpoint, effectively allowing unauthorized access to network resources. The second vector specifically targets administrative functions, enabling attackers to enable external logins via the mso_remote_enable action directed at goform/RemoteRange, which fundamentally compromises the device's security posture by opening remote access channels. The third vector allows modification of core network parameters through DNS configuration changes using the manual_dns_enable action against goform/Basic, potentially redirecting network traffic to malicious destinations. These attack vectors demonstrate a comprehensive compromise of the device's security model, affecting both user-level and administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, creating a multi-layered threat scenario that can severely disrupt network operations and compromise security. When attackers successfully exploit these CSRF vulnerabilities, they can establish persistent unauthorized access to network resources, potentially enabling them to monitor traffic, redirect connections, or even establish backdoor access points. The ability to modify DNS settings particularly poses significant risks as it can lead to man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, or redirection of network traffic to malicious infrastructure. The administrative compromise through external login enablement creates a scenario where attackers can gain full control over the device's configuration, effectively making them network administrators without proper authorization. These vulnerabilities align with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses, and demonstrate how insufficient input validation and authentication checks can create exploitable conditions in network infrastructure devices.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0886 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves upgrading the affected SMC SMCD3G-CCR devices to firmware version 1.4.0.49.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the CSRF token validation gaps. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, restricting access to management ports through firewall rules, and implementing network segmentation to limit potential impact. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication mechanisms and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious requests, particularly those targeting the affected goform endpoints, and establish regular firmware update policies to ensure all network infrastructure devices remain protected against known vulnerabilities.