CVE-2014-7158 in WAN Optimization Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Exinda WAN Optimization Suite 7.0.0 (2160) allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that change the admin password via a request to admin/launch.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2022
The CVE-2014-7158 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw in the Exinda WAN Optimization Suite version 7.0.0 build 2160. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw exists within the administrative interface of the Exinda appliance, creating a dangerous attack vector that allows remote adversaries to manipulate administrative functions without proper authentication. The vulnerability is particularly severe because it targets the administrative password change functionality, which directly compromises the security posture of the entire WAN optimization infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs through a specific endpoint at admin/launch which does not properly validate the origin of requests or implement proper anti-CSRF tokens. When an authenticated administrator visits a malicious website or is tricked into clicking a crafted link, the attacker can construct a request that appears legitimate to the Exinda appliance. The appliance processes this request without sufficient verification mechanisms, allowing the attacker to change the administrator password without knowing the current credentials. This type of attack leverages the browser's automatic handling of cookies and session management, where the appliance automatically authenticates requests based on existing session data without additional validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it fundamentally undermines the administrative control of the WAN optimization appliance. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the Exinda device, potentially leading to network disruption, data interception, or further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The attack requires minimal privileges from the attacker's perspective, as they only need to convince a legitimate administrator to visit a malicious page rather than possessing the actual password. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse untrusted websites or where social engineering attacks are common.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including the deployment of web application firewalls that can detect and block CSRF attacks, the implementation of proper anti-CSRF tokens in all administrative interfaces, and the enforcement of multi-factor authentication for administrative access. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1078 - Valid Accounts, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access through social engineering and credential manipulation. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of administrative traffic can help detect anomalous password change activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and patch management procedures should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the network infrastructure, as this type of flaw represents a common entry point for attackers seeking persistent access to critical network equipment.