CVE-2015-0151 in DIR-815
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in D-Link DIR-815 devices with firmware before 2.07.B01 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users for requests that insert XSS sequences.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2021
The CVE-2015-0151 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in D-Link DIR-815 wireless routers running firmware versions prior to 2.07.B01. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the router's web-based administrative interface, creating a significant security risk for network administrators and end users who rely on these devices for home or small office networking. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the absence of proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the device's authentication system, allowing them to manipulate authenticated sessions without requiring valid credentials. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it combines CSRF exploitation with cross-site scripting capabilities, amplifying the potential impact of the attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lack of anti-CSRF tokens in the web interface forms of the affected D-Link routers. When a user accesses the router's administrative web page, the system fails to validate the origin of requests or verify that the requests were genuinely initiated by the authenticated user. This absence of proper validation allows attackers to craft malicious web pages or send specially crafted requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, perform actions on the router without the user's knowledge or consent. The vulnerability specifically affects the router's ability to handle user sessions properly, enabling attackers to manipulate the authentication context and execute unauthorized operations. The flaw is categorized under CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a weakness where a web application does not adequately validate or enforce the authenticity of user requests, making it particularly dangerous in network device management contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential network compromise and data exfiltration. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can modify router configurations, change administrative passwords, disable security features, or even redirect network traffic through malicious DNS settings. The combination of CSRF and XSS capabilities within this single vulnerability creates a particularly dangerous attack scenario where an attacker could not only hijack existing sessions but also inject malicious scripts that persist in the router's memory or storage. This dual nature of the vulnerability allows for both immediate exploitation and potential long-term persistence within the network infrastructure, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on D-Link DIR-815 devices.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1071.004 technique related to application layer protocols and the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter. The vulnerability aligns with the broader category of web application security flaws that can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to network infrastructure, potentially leading to complete network compromise. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 2.07.B01 or later, which addresses the CSRF token validation issue. Network segmentation and monitoring of router administrative traffic can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security assessments should verify that no other similar vulnerabilities exist in the network infrastructure. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and the necessity of proper authentication validation mechanisms in all web-based administrative interfaces.