CVE-2013-3066 in EA6500
Summary
by MITRE
Linksys EA6500 with firmware 1.1.28.147876 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information (clients and router configuration) via a request to /JNAP/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2019
The CVE-2013-3066 vulnerability affects Linksys EA6500 routers running firmware version 1.1.28.147876 and represents a critical access control flaw that exposes sensitive network information to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides in the router's web interface implementation where the JNAP (JSON Network API Protocol) endpoint fails to properly authenticate and authorize incoming requests. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to access critical configuration data and client information simply by sending a request to the /JNAP/ endpoint, bypassing all standard security mechanisms that should protect such sensitive data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control enforcement within the router's web server component. When an attacker sends a request to the /JNAP/ endpoint, the system does not properly verify the authenticity of the requester or enforce proper authorization checks before returning sensitive information. This design flaw aligns with CWE-284, which describes improper access control vulnerabilities, and specifically demonstrates how insufficient authorization controls can lead to information disclosure. The vulnerability operates at the application layer of the network stack, making it particularly dangerous as it requires no special privileges or credentials to exploit, and can be executed from any remote location with network connectivity to the affected device.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-3066 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with comprehensive insights into the network infrastructure and connected devices. The exposed information includes detailed router configuration parameters, client device information, network topology data, and potentially credentials or other sensitive network settings. This intelligence can enable attackers to conduct more sophisticated attacks such as network reconnaissance, targeted phishing campaigns, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities within the network. The vulnerability also supports techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1046 Network Service Scanning and T1082 System Information Discovery, as it allows for automated gathering of system and network information without requiring direct access to the device.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Linksys to address the access control flaw, network segmentation to limit exposure of affected devices, and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns targeting the /JNAP/ endpoint. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper authentication mechanisms and access control implementation in network devices, particularly those exposed to external networks. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to the router's web interface and establish baseline security configurations that disable unnecessary services. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the risks associated with default configurations and the necessity of regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses in network infrastructure components.