CVE-2013-5039 in HOTBOX router
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in goform/wlanBasicSecurity on the HOT HOTBOX router with software 2.1.11 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that change the WiFi Security field to Deactivated via the WifiSecurity parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The CVE-2013-5039 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in the HOT HOTBOX router's web interface implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects devices running software version 2.1.11 and resides within the goform/wlanBasicSecurity endpoint of the router's web application. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate administrative functions without proper authentication by exploiting the absence of proper CSRF protection mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious request that targets the WifiSecurity parameter, allowing them to deactivate WiFi security settings on behalf of authenticated administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's web application failing to implement adequate CSRF token validation or request origin verification mechanisms. When administrators access the router's web interface, they maintain authenticated sessions that should be protected against unauthorized modifications. However, the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or proper session validation allows attackers to construct malicious web requests that, when triggered by an authenticated administrator, execute with the administrator's privileges. The specific parameter targeted is WifiSecurity, which controls the WiFi security settings of the router, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to completely disable wireless security measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for network administrators and organizations relying on HOT HOTBOX routers. An attacker could potentially compromise wireless networks by deactivating security protocols without requiring valid credentials or physical access to the device. The impact extends beyond simple security degradation, as disabling WiFi security could lead to complete network compromise through unauthorized access to wireless resources. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how authentication bypass vulnerabilities can be exploited in network device management interfaces.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical expertise and can be accomplished through social engineering or by embedding malicious requests in web pages that an administrator might visit. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain persistent access to wireless networks, potentially leading to data exfiltration, network infiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical presence or network access to the affected network. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and risk assessment activities, particularly when evaluating the security of network infrastructure devices that lack proper CSRF protection mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-5039 should focus on implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the router's web interface, including the deployment of anti-CSRF tokens that are validated with each request. Network administrators should also ensure that all affected routers are updated to the latest firmware versions that address this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and authentication checking in web-based management interfaces, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities. Regular security audits of network infrastructure devices should include checks for similar CSRF vulnerabilities in other router models and network equipment to prevent similar exploitation opportunities.