CVE-2014-4154 in ZXV10 W300
Summary
by MITRE
ZTE ZXV10 W300 router with firmware W300V1.0.0a_ZRD_LK stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, which allows remote attackers to obtain the PPPoE/PPPoA password via a direct request for basic/tc2wanfun.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2024
The CVE-2014-4154 vulnerability affects ZTE ZXV10 W300 routers running firmware version W300V1.0.0a_ZRD_LK, representing a critical access control flaw that exposes sensitive network credentials to remote attackers. This vulnerability resides within the router's web interface implementation, specifically in the handling of configuration files that are accessible without proper authentication mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to directly access the basic/tc2wanfun.js file through a simple HTTP request, which contains PPPoE/PPPoA passwords in cleartext format. This represents a fundamental failure in the router's web server security architecture where sensitive information is stored in publicly accessible directories without adequate access controls or authentication requirements. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which defines weaknesses in information disclosure, and specifically aligns with CWE-532, which addresses information exposure through web server logs and configuration files. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no authentication or exploitation of additional vulnerabilities, making it highly accessible to threat actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's web server configuration where the tc2wanfun.js file containing network credentials is stored in the web root directory with insufficient file permissions or access control lists. When an attacker makes a direct HTTP request to the specific path basic/tc2wanfun.js, the web server serves the file contents without verifying the requester's authentication status or authorization level. This flaw demonstrates poor security by design principles where sensitive configuration data is not properly protected by access control mechanisms. The exposed credentials typically include PPPoE username and password combinations that allow attackers to establish unauthorized internet connections, potentially enabling them to bypass network security controls, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the compromised credentials for further network exploration. The vulnerability exists at the application layer of the network stack and represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference where the web application fails to validate access permissions before serving sensitive files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent network access and potentially compromise entire network infrastructures. Once attackers obtain the PPPoE/PPPoA credentials, they can use these to gain unauthorized access to the internet service provider's network, which may provide access to additional internal network resources or enable them to route traffic through the compromised router for malicious activities. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multiple users may be utilizing the same router or where the router serves as a gateway to more sensitive network segments. The exposure of these credentials could facilitate advanced persistent threat campaigns, network reconnaissance activities, or even enable attackers to establish command and control channels through the compromised router. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through web application exploitation and privilege escalation through the use of valid credentials obtained through information discovery and credential dumping.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4154 should focus on immediate firmware updates from ZTE to address the underlying access control flaws, combined with network segmentation and monitoring of unauthorized access attempts to web interfaces. Organizations should implement network access controls to restrict access to router management interfaces to authorized personnel only, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for direct requests to sensitive configuration files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and the need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices. Network administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of credential exposure and establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized access attempts to web application resources. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar access control flaws and ensure that sensitive information is properly protected through appropriate access controls, encryption, and secure file permissions. The remediation process should also include disabling unnecessary web services and ensuring that all network devices are running the latest firmware versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.