CVE-2011-3992 in Dwl-3200ap
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the SSH server functionality on the D-Link DES-3800 with firmware before 4.50B052, DWL-2100AP with firmware before 2.50RC548, and DWL-3200AP with firmware before 2.55RC549 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3992 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple D-Link network infrastructure devices including the DES-3800 switch series and DWL-2100AP and DWL-3200AP access point models. This weakness resides within the SSH server implementation of these networking appliances, creating a pathway for remote exploitation that could result in complete system compromise or denial of service conditions. The affected firmware versions demonstrate a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management that directly violates secure coding practices recommended by industry standards.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from insufficient bounds checking within the SSH server component of these devices. When processing incoming SSH connections or specific SSH protocol messages, the vulnerable software fails to properly validate the length of incoming data buffers before copying this data into fixed-size memory locations. This classic programming error allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the network level, requiring no local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous for network infrastructure devices that are typically exposed to external networks.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass significant security risks for enterprise networks. Network administrators managing D-Link devices with affected firmware versions face potential compromise of their entire network infrastructure, as these devices often serve as critical connectivity points within network architectures. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target these devices from outside the network perimeter, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive network resources and establishing persistent footholds for further attacks. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1021.004 for remote services and T1190 for exploitation of remote services, demonstrating how such vulnerabilities can enable broader attack chains.
The affected devices represent a substantial portion of D-Link's enterprise networking portfolio, with the DES-3800 series serving as managed switches and the DWL access point models providing wireless connectivity. These devices typically operate in environments where network security is paramount, making the presence of such a vulnerability particularly concerning. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire network segments that rely on these appliances for connectivity and security enforcement. Organizations using these devices face potential data breaches, network disruption, and compliance violations, as the compromise of network infrastructure devices can undermine the integrity of entire network security postures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the buffer overflow conditions in the SSH server implementations. Network administrators should prioritize updating all affected devices to firmware versions 4.50B052 or later for DES-3800 devices, and 2.50RC548 for DWL-2100AP and 2.55RC549 for DWL-3200AP models. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to external networks, while monitoring for suspicious SSH connection attempts. Security professionals should also consider disabling SSH services entirely if they are not required for administrative access, as this reduces the attack surface for the vulnerable component. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 indicates a direct violation of secure memory management practices, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in network service implementations.