CVE-2013-3084 in F5D8236-4
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Belkin Model F5D8236-4 v2 router allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3084 affects the Belkin Model F5D8236-4 v2 wireless router, representing a critical security flaw that exposes users to significant web-based attack vectors. This issue falls under the category of multiple cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, which are particularly dangerous because they allow remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The Belkin router's web interface, which serves as the primary management portal for configuring network settings, becomes a potential entry point for cybercriminals seeking to exploit user sessions and compromise network security. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the router's administrative interface, which typically requires elevated privileges and contains sensitive network configuration data that could be leveraged for further attacks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the router's web-based management system. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the router's administration interface. This type of flaw is classified as CWE-79 - Cross-site Scripting, which is a fundamental web security weakness that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent vulnerabilities in web applications. The specific implementation details of how the injection occurs remain unspecified in the CVE description, but such vulnerabilities typically arise from improper handling of user-supplied data in form fields, URL parameters, or other input mechanisms within the web interface. The router's failure to properly sanitize user inputs means that any data entered into configuration fields or transmitted through the web interface can be manipulated to include malicious script code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to hijack user sessions, steal authentication credentials, and potentially gain complete control over the router's administrative functions. When authorized users access the router's management interface, they become vulnerable to session hijacking attacks where malicious scripts can capture login information or manipulate network settings. This could lead to unauthorized network access, DNS redirection, port forwarding changes, or even complete network compromise. The attack surface is particularly broad because many users may access their router's administration interface from various locations, including public computers or devices that may be compromised, increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 - Application Layer Protocol: DNS, as attackers could potentially use compromised routers to redirect DNS queries or establish command and control channels. Network administrators who rely on the router's web interface for configuration management face significant risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited to modify firewall rules, disable security features, or redirect traffic to malicious destinations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3084 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Belkin, which would address the underlying input validation flaws and prevent script injection attacks. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to router management interfaces, restrict administrative access to specific IP addresses, and disable web-based management when not actively needed. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or attempts to access router administration interfaces from unexpected locations. Security awareness training for network administrators is crucial to prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability, as attackers could use the XSS flaw to redirect administrators to phishing sites that appear to be legitimate router interfaces. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against script injection attacks, while regular security audits of network infrastructure should include vulnerability scanning for similar issues in other network devices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, as router manufacturers must ensure that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being processed or displayed in web interfaces.