CVE-2013-2684 in Linksys E4200
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) in Cisco Linksys E4200 1.0.05 Build 7 devices allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2684 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Cisco Linksys E4200 routers running firmware version 1.0.05 Build 7. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a prevalent web application security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The specific implementation of this vulnerability in the Linksys E4200 device exposes the router's web-based administrative interface to potential exploitation by remote attackers who can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the router's web interface components. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious scripts that will be executed when other users access the affected administrative interface. This particular vulnerability demonstrates a failure in proper sanitization of user-supplied input data, allowing malicious payloads to persist within the router's configuration parameters or interface elements. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it targets the web administration interface, which is the primary means of configuring and managing the device, making it accessible to anyone with network connectivity to the router.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-2684 extends beyond simple script injection, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to establish persistent access to the router's administrative functions. This vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate the router's configuration settings, potentially redirecting traffic, modifying network settings, or even creating backdoors for continued access. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device, making the exploitation accessible from anywhere on the internet. This represents a significant risk to network security as compromised routers can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, potentially enabling attackers to monitor traffic, redirect connections, or disrupt network services. The vulnerability also poses risks to the confidentiality and integrity of network communications passing through the compromised device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-2684 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Cisco to address the identified XSS vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to router administrative interfaces to authorized personnel only, while also employing network monitoring solutions to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security best practices include disabling remote administration features when not required, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing router configurations for unauthorized changes. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for command and script interpreter and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments, as attackers might use the XSS capability to deliver additional malicious payloads. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other network devices and applications.