CVE-2013-4707 in DES-3810
Summary
by MITRE
The SSH implementation on D-Link Japan DES-3810 devices with firmware before R2.20.011 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (device hang) by leveraging login access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4707 affects D-Link Japan DES-3810 network switches running firmware versions prior to R2.20.011. This issue represents a denial of service weakness that specifically targets the Secure Shell implementation within these network devices. The vulnerability operates through a flaw in how the device handles authenticated SSH connections, creating a condition where legitimate administrative access can be exploited to disrupt normal device operations. The affected switches are part of D-Link's enterprise networking product line, designed for managed switching environments where reliable network infrastructure is critical for business operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the SSH daemon implementation of the affected D-Link devices, where improper handling of authenticated sessions leads to device hang conditions. When authenticated users establish SSH connections to these switches, the system fails to properly manage the session lifecycle, resulting in resource exhaustion or state corruption that causes the device to become unresponsive. This vulnerability specifically leverages the login access mechanism, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid authentication credentials to exploit the flaw, though the impact remains severe as it affects the device's availability rather than confidentiality or integrity. The issue falls under the category of improper handling of system resources and can be classified as a CWE-400 vulnerability related to excessive resource consumption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as network switches form the backbone of enterprise network infrastructure. When a switch becomes unresponsive due to this vulnerability, it can cause widespread network disruption affecting multiple network segments and potentially leading to significant business downtime. Network administrators may experience challenges in troubleshooting the issue as the device appears to be functioning normally from an external perspective, but internal processes have become non-responsive. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of network security principles and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, where adversaries leverage legitimate administrative access to cause service disruption. Organizations relying on these switches for critical network operations may face extended downtime while recovery procedures are implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-4707 primarily involve firmware updates from D-Link to address the specific implementation flaw in the SSH daemon. Organizations should prioritize applying the R2.20.011 firmware update or higher to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the number of authenticated users who can establish SSH connections to these switches. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in SSH connection behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing temporary network access restrictions to the affected switches while firmware updates are deployed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing proper change management processes for network infrastructure devices to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses that could lead to service disruption and potential business impact.