CVE-2014-9690 in Home Gateway WS318
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei home gateways WS318 with software V100R001C01B022 and earlier versions are affected by the PIN offline brute force cracking vulnerability of the WPS protocol because the random number generator (RNG) used in the supplier's solution is not random enough. As a result, brute force cracking the PIN code is easier. After an attacker cracks the PIN, the attacker can access the Internet via the cracked device.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9690 affects Huawei home gateways of the WS318 model running firmware versions V100R001C01B022 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in the implementation of the Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) protocol. This weakness stems from the inadequate randomness of the random number generator (RNG) employed by the device manufacturer, creating a predictable pattern that significantly weakens the security of the WPS PIN protection mechanism. The vulnerability specifically targets the WPS protocol's push-button configuration feature, which is designed to simplify wireless network setup while maintaining security through a twelve-digit PIN code that must be entered by the user to establish a connection to the wireless network.
The technical flaw manifests in the insufficient entropy of the random number generator used during WPS PIN generation, which violates fundamental cryptographic principles outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines for random number generation. This weakness allows attackers to perform offline brute force attacks against the WPS PIN, significantly reducing the time required to discover valid PINs from approximately 10 minutes to mere seconds or minutes depending on the attack methodology. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-330, which describes the use of insufficiently random values in security contexts, and aligns with the ATT&CK framework's T1075 technique for "Pass the Hash" and T1046 for "Network Service Scanning" as attackers can leverage the compromised credentials to gain unauthorized network access. The predictable nature of the RNG means that attackers can generate a limited set of possible PIN combinations and test them systematically against the device, bypassing the intended security measures of the WPS protocol.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized network access, as it creates a persistent security risk for home network environments where these devices are commonly deployed. Once an attacker successfully brute forces the WPS PIN, they gain full control over the affected wireless network, enabling them to monitor network traffic, redirect users to malicious sites, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. This vulnerability particularly affects the security posture of small businesses and home users who rely on consumer-grade networking equipment, as the attack surface is broad and the attack vectors are well-documented. The threat is exacerbated by the fact that many users may not be aware of the WPS feature's existence or its security implications, making the attack surface even larger than initially apparent.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from device owners and network administrators to disable the WPS feature on affected Huawei devices, as this removes the primary attack vector. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of any successful compromise, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network activity. The device firmware should be updated to versions that address the RNG implementation issue, though this may not be available for older models. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network access control lists, wireless network monitoring, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper entropy sources in cryptographic implementations and serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust random number generation in security-sensitive applications.