CVE-2011-1673 in ProSafe WNAP210
Summary
by MITRE
BackupConfig.php on the NetGear ProSafe WNAP210 allows remote attackers to obtain the administrator password by reading the configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The CVE-2011-1673 vulnerability affects the NetGear ProSafe WNAP210 wireless access point device and represents a critical security flaw in the web-based management interface. This vulnerability resides in the BackupConfig.php script which is part of the device's configuration management functionality. The flaw stems from inadequate access controls and improper authentication mechanisms within the web application, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to directly access sensitive configuration files without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically targets the device's ability to securely handle configuration data, exposing administrative credentials to malicious actors who can exploit this weakness from outside the local network perimeter.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic path traversal and privilege escalation scenario where the BackupConfig.php script fails to properly validate user requests before serving configuration data. When an attacker accesses the vulnerable endpoint, the script directly reads and returns the configuration file contents without performing adequate authentication checks or authorization validation. This creates a direct information disclosure vulnerability that exposes the administrative password in cleartext format, bypassing all intended security controls. The flaw operates at the application layer and leverages the device's web server to serve sensitive information, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any location with network access to the device's management interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1673 extends beyond simple credential disclosure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the affected wireless access point. Once an attacker obtains the administrator password, they gain complete control over the device configuration, including the ability to modify network settings, change user accounts, disable security features, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-287 (Improper Authentication). The exposure of administrative credentials enables attackers to perform actions such as changing wireless network settings, modifying firewall rules, and gaining persistent access to the network infrastructure, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on these devices for network security.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. Organizations must first apply the vendor-provided firmware updates that address this specific flaw, as NetGear released patches to resolve the improper access control issue. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the device management interfaces, limiting access to trusted administrative workstations only. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by disabling unnecessary management interfaces, changing default credentials immediately upon device deployment, and implementing strong authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication where supported. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically addressing techniques related to credential access and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and network monitoring should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure devices, as this type of flaw commonly occurs in embedded systems with inadequate security design considerations.