CVE-2014-8654 in CG6640E Wireless Gateway
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in Compal Broadband Networks (CBN) CH6640E and CG6640E Wireless Gateway hardware 1.0 with firmware CH6640-3.5.11.7-NOSH allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) have unspecified impact on DDNS configuration via a request to basicDDNS.html, (2) change the wifi password via the psKey parameter to setWirelessSecurity.html, (3) add a static MAC address via the MacAddress parameter in an add_static action to setBasicDHCP1.html, or (4) enable or disable UPnP via the UPnP parameter in an apply action to setAdvancedOptions.html.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The CVE-2014-8654 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting Compal Broadband Networks CH6640E and CG6640E wireless gateways running firmware version 1.0. These devices are widely deployed in residential and small office environments, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to compromise network security. The vulnerability stems from insufficient CSRF protection mechanisms in the web-based administration interfaces of these devices, allowing remote attackers to execute unauthorized administrative actions without proper authentication. This class of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-352 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves four distinct attack vectors that demonstrate the scope of potential impact on network administrators. The first vector targets Dynamic Domain Name System (DDNS) configuration through requests to basicDDNS.html, where attackers can manipulate network settings without administrator consent. The second vector allows modification of wireless security parameters by targeting the psKey parameter in setWirelessSecurity.html, effectively enabling attackers to change WiFi passwords and gain unauthorized network access. The third vector focuses on DHCP configuration through the MacAddress parameter in setBasicDHCP1.html with add_static action, permitting attackers to add malicious MAC addresses and potentially intercept network traffic. The fourth vector targets Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) functionality via the UPnP parameter in setAdvancedOptions.html with apply action, allowing attackers to enable or disable this potentially dangerous service that can open network ports to external connections.
The operational impact of these vulnerabilities extends beyond simple unauthorized configuration changes, as they provide attackers with significant control over network infrastructure. Successful exploitation can lead to complete network compromise, as attackers can modify critical network parameters that affect connectivity, security, and access control. The ability to change WiFi passwords effectively locks out legitimate users while providing attackers with persistent network access, while enabling UPnP can create additional attack surfaces by opening network ports to external connections. These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they affect devices that serve as primary network gateways, making them central points of attack that can compromise entire local networks. The lack of authentication verification for these administrative functions means that any user who can access the device's web interface can potentially execute these attacks, even without knowledge of valid credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8654 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves applying firmware updates from Compal or the device manufacturer, which would address the CSRF implementation flaws in the web interfaces. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures such as disabling unnecessary services like UPnP when not required, changing default administrative credentials to strong passwords, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes these vulnerabilities under T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, highlighting the network communication aspects of these attacks. Additionally, implementing proper CSRF tokens and validating the origin of requests in web applications would prevent these specific attack vectors. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous configuration changes or unauthorized network access attempts that might indicate exploitation of these vulnerabilities.