CVE-2014-8244 in Linksys
Summary
by MITRE
Linksys SMART WiFi firmware on EA2700 and EA3500 devices; before 2.1.41 build 162351 on E4200v2 and EA4500 devices; before 1.1.41 build 162599 on EA6200 devices; before 1.1.40 build 160989 on EA6300, EA6400, EA6500, and EA6700 devices; and before 1.1.42 build 161129 on EA6900 devices allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or modify data via a JNAP action in a JNAP/ HTTP request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The CVE-2014-8244 vulnerability affects Linksys SMART WiFi routers including models EA2700, EA3500, E4200v2, EA4500, EA6200, EA6300, EA6400, EA6500, and EA6900. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the JNAP (Json Network Application Protocol) interface used by these devices. The JNAP protocol allows for remote management and configuration of router settings through HTTP requests, but the implementation contains critical flaws that permit unauthorized access to sensitive system information and data modification capabilities.
The technical flaw resides in the lack of proper authentication and authorization checks for JNAP actions. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted JNAP/HTTP requests that target specific JNAP actions without requiring valid credentials. This misconfiguration enables remote attackers to extract sensitive information such as system configuration details, user credentials, and network settings from affected devices. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited over the network without physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and home network environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to critical router functionalities. Remote attackers can not only read sensitive configuration data but also modify device settings, potentially leading to complete network compromise. This includes the ability to change administrator passwords, modify firewall rules, alter DNS settings, and potentially redirect network traffic. The vulnerability affects multiple device models across different firmware versions, indicating a widespread issue within the Linksys SMART WiFi ecosystem that could impact thousands of devices globally.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to versions that address the authentication and authorization flaws in the JNAP interface. Network administrators should disable the JNAP interface if it is not required for operations, and implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) categories, and represents a technique that could be categorized under ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and TA0005 (Defense Evasion) for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual JNAP traffic patterns and establish baseline network behavior for anomaly detection purposes.