CVE-2011-4723 in DIR-300
Summary
by MITRE
The D-Link DIR-300 router stores cleartext passwords, which allows context-dependent attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2026
The CVE-2011-4723 vulnerability affects D-Link DIR-300 wireless routers and represents a critical security flaw in how the device handles authentication credentials. This vulnerability stems from the router's improper storage mechanism that retains administrator and user passwords in cleartext format within the device's configuration files or memory structures. The flaw creates a significant exposure point where unauthorized individuals with access to the router's configuration interface or physical access to the device can retrieve these passwords without requiring advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the configuration layer rather than requiring network-based attacks, making it accessible through various attack vectors including local network access or direct physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the router's web-based management interface failing to properly encrypt or hash password credentials before storing them in persistent memory or configuration files. When administrators configure login credentials through the web interface, the system stores these values in an unencrypted format, typically within XML configuration files or database structures that can be accessed by local users or attackers with sufficient privileges. This cleartext storage mechanism violates fundamental security principles and creates a direct pathway for credential theft. The vulnerability operates with a context-dependent attack model where the attacker's success depends on their level of access to the device, but once achieved, the impact is immediate and complete. The flaw essentially removes the encryption layer that should protect authentication credentials from unauthorized access, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited repeatedly.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4723 extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader network compromise scenarios. When attackers obtain cleartext passwords, they gain full administrative access to the router's configuration interface, enabling them to modify firewall rules, change network settings, redirect traffic, or establish backdoor access points. This level of access allows for man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS poisoning, traffic interception, and complete network monitoring capabilities. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges within the network, as router administrators often possess elevated access rights that can be leveraged to compromise other networked devices. Additionally, the cleartext storage of passwords means that even if the router is rebooted or reconfigured, the passwords remain accessible through the same methods, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly without requiring additional exploitation steps.
Organizations and individuals affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including changing all default passwords to strong, complex credentials, disabling unnecessary services, and restricting physical access to network devices. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts to router interfaces. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and represents a violation of NIST SP 800-53 security controls related to authentication and access control. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage stolen credentials to establish persistent access, and T1562 (Impair Defenses) when they modify router configurations to disable security features. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor secure coding practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper credential storage mechanisms including salted hashing with strong cryptographic algorithms. Long-term solutions require device firmware updates that implement proper encryption of stored credentials, along with regular security audits and network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts.