CVE-2014-3872 in DAP-1350
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in the administration login page in D-Link DAP-1350 (Rev. A1) with firmware 1.14 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the (1) username or (2) password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3872 represents a critical security flaw in the D-Link DAP-1350 wireless access point model with firmware versions 1.14 and earlier. This issue affects the administration login page and exposes the device to remote SQL injection attacks that can be exploited by unauthorized users without requiring authentication. The vulnerability specifically targets the username and password input fields during the administrative login process, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the underlying database queries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web interface of the D-Link device. When users attempt to log in through the administration portal, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the username and password fields before incorporating them into SQL queries. This allows malicious actors to inject SQL commands that bypass authentication mechanisms and potentially execute arbitrary database operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates severe security implications for organizations using affected D-Link devices. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized administrative access to the wireless access point, potentially leading to complete network compromise. Once authenticated, attackers can modify network configurations, access sensitive network data, redirect traffic, or establish backdoors within the network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects the login page itself, meaning that even users attempting to authenticate normally could inadvertently trigger malicious SQL commands.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically involves crafting specially formatted input strings that contain SQL injection payloads in either the username or password fields. Attackers can leverage common SQL injection techniques such as union-based queries, time-based blind injection, or error-based exploitation to extract database information or execute commands. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights how seemingly simple authentication mechanisms can become attack vectors when proper security controls are absent. The impact extends beyond the immediate device compromise as the affected access point could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration attacks, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals implementing network security controls.
Organizations should immediately update their D-Link DAP-1350 devices to firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as the manufacturer likely released patches to properly sanitize input fields and implement proper SQL query parameterization. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous login attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and firmware updates as part of comprehensive cybersecurity programs, aligning with industry best practices for maintaining secure network infrastructure and addressing known vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.