CVE-2014-9518 in DIR-655
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in login.cgi in D-Link router DIR-655 (rev Bx) with firmware before 2.12b01 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the html_response_page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2019
The CVE-2014-9518 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the D-Link DIR-655 router model, specifically affecting devices with firmware versions prior to 2.12b01. This vulnerability exists within the login.cgi web interface component that handles authentication requests for the device's administrative web portal. The flaw manifests when the router processes the html_response_page parameter without adequate input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML code directly into the router's web interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the router's web server component that processes login requests. When a user attempts to authenticate through the web interface, the login.cgi script accepts the html_response_page parameter and incorporates it directly into the HTTP response without proper sanitization or encoding. This creates a classic XSS attack vector where an attacker can craft a malicious URL containing script code that gets executed in the context of a victim's browser session when they access the router's administrative interface. The vulnerability specifically affects the DIR-655 model with revision Bx firmware versions, making it a targeted issue for devices in this specific product line.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, and potentially gain full control over the router configuration. An attacker could craft a malicious login page that redirects users to a phishing site, captures login credentials, or modifies the router's configuration settings. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the authentication interface itself, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms entirely and take complete control of the network device. This represents a significant risk to network security as it provides a direct path to router administration without requiring physical access or prior knowledge of valid credentials.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or encoding. The attack pattern follows typical XSS exploitation techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute malicious scripts in the context of the affected web application. Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 2.12b01 or later, as this represents the primary mitigation strategy. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of web traffic to router administrative interfaces should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while access controls should be enforced to limit who can reach the router's administrative web interface. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of keeping network device firmware updated and implementing proper input validation practices in web applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in other network equipment.