CVE-2012-4366 in n150
Summary
by MITRE
Belkin wireless routers Surf N150 Model F7D1301v1, N900 Model F9K1104v1, N450 Model F9K1105V2, and N300 Model F7D2301v1 generate a predictable default WPA2-PSK passphrase based on eight digits of the WAN MAC address, which allows remote attackers to access the network by sniffing the beacon frames.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2024
This vulnerability affects Belkin wireless routers including models F7D1301v1, F9K1104v1, F9K1105V2, and F7D2301v1 that implement WPA2-PSK authentication. The flaw stems from a predictable passphrase generation algorithm that uses the first eight digits of the router's WAN MAC address to create the default wireless network password. This design flaw fundamentally undermines the security of the wireless network by creating a deterministic relationship between the router's physical address and its wireless security credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the router's firmware generating a default WPA2-PSK passphrase using a mathematical formula that incorporates the WAN MAC address. When an attacker captures beacon frames from these routers, they can extract the MAC address information and compute the corresponding passphrase using the same algorithm employed by the manufacturer. This represents a critical weakness in the router's security architecture and falls under the category of predictable cryptographic key generation, which is classified as CWE-330. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it eliminates the need for brute force attacks or other complex exploitation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized network access without requiring physical proximity or sophisticated attack tools. The attacker only needs to monitor wireless traffic to capture beacon frames containing the MAC address information, then apply the known algorithm to derive the network password. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 for network service scanning and T1075 for remote service exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, network infiltration, and lateral movement within the compromised network infrastructure.
The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in secure default configuration practices and highlights the importance of proper cryptographic key generation in embedded network devices. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including changing default passwords to strong, random passphrases, disabling unnecessary wireless services, and implementing network segmentation to limit the attack surface. Additionally, network administrators should consider deploying wireless intrusion detection systems to monitor for beacon frame anomalies and implement regular security audits to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network equipment. The manufacturer's failure to implement proper entropy in passphrase generation represents a significant security oversight that violates industry best practices for secure device configuration and should be addressed through firmware updates or complete device replacement.