CVE-2012-5320 in F@ST 2604
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in password.cgi in Sagem F@ST 2604 253180972B allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that change the administrator password via the sysPassword parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2024
The CVE-2012-5320 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in the Sagem F@ST 2604 router firmware, specifically within the password.cgi script. This vulnerability resides in the web-based administrative interface of the device, creating a significant security risk that allows remote attackers to manipulate the authentication state of administrators without their knowledge or consent. The flaw manifests through the sysPassword parameter, which is used to change administrator passwords, making it a direct threat to device access control and network security.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF mechanisms within the affected web application. When an administrator accesses the router's web interface, the authentication session remains active, but the password.cgi script fails to validate the origin of requests attempting to modify administrative credentials. This omission creates a window where malicious actors can craft specially crafted web pages or links that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, automatically submit requests to change the administrator password without requiring legitimate authentication. The vulnerability specifically targets the sysPassword parameter, which serves as the critical attack vector for unauthorized password modifications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally compromises the administrative control of the network device. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can assume complete administrative control over the router, potentially gaining access to network configuration settings, firewall rules, DNS configurations, and other critical network parameters. This unauthorized access creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for ongoing network surveillance, traffic interception, or redirection attacks. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain secure administrative sessions and undermines the trust model of the web-based management interface.
The security implications of CVE-2012-5320 align with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities in web applications. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the application's session management and request validation mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078.004, which covers valid accounts used for lateral movement, as the compromised administrator credentials can be used to maintain persistent access to the network infrastructure. Additionally, the vulnerability contributes to T1566, which covers credential harvesting through social engineering or exploitation of web application flaws, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and anti-CSRF token implementation in web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Sagem to address the CSRF implementation flaw, proper implementation of anti-CSRF tokens within the web application, and enforcement of proper request origin validation. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting administrative access to specific IP ranges, enabling two-factor authentication where possible, and conducting regular security assessments of network device configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing robust session management and request validation mechanisms in web applications, particularly those managing sensitive administrative functions. Organizations should also establish security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attacks that might exploit such vulnerabilities.