CVE-2015-1188 in DSL Router Centro Grande
Summary
by MITRE
The certificate verification functions in the HNDS service in Swisscom Centro Grande (ADB) DSL routers with firmware before 6.14.00 allows remote attackers to access the management functions via unknown vectors.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-1188 affects the HNDS service component within Swisscom Centro Grande DSL routers running firmware versions prior to 6.14.00. This represents a critical security flaw in the router's certificate verification mechanisms that operates within the context of the Swisscom network infrastructure. The affected device serves as a gateway for residential and small business users, making it a prime target for attackers seeking unauthorized access to network management functions. The vulnerability specifically resides in the certificate verification functions of the HNDS service, which is responsible for authenticating and authorizing access to the router's administrative interface. This flaw allows remote attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to management functions without proper authorization, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient certificate validation within the HNDS service implementation. Certificate verification functions are designed to ensure that only authorized entities can access sensitive management interfaces by validating digital certificates against established trust chains. However, the flawed implementation in these routers fails to properly validate certificate authenticity, allowing attackers to exploit unknown vectors to gain administrative access. This weakness likely involves improper handling of certificate validation routines, potentially including weak cryptographic checks, inadequate certificate chain validation, or failure to properly verify certificate signatures. The vulnerability's classification as a certificate verification flaw aligns with CWE-295, which addresses improper certificate validation, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that should ensure robust authentication mechanisms. The unknown vectors mentioned in the description suggest that attackers may be able to leverage various exploitation techniques, including man-in-the-middle attacks or certificate spoofing methods that take advantage of the weak validation logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential network compromise and data exposure. Once attackers gain administrative access through this vulnerability, they can modify router configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious software, or establish backdoors for persistent access. The Swisscom network infrastructure represents a critical component of the telecommunications ecosystem, where compromised routers could serve as entry points for broader attacks against the service provider's network or its customers' data. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access to the devices, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network services, potentially affecting thousands of users who rely on Swisscom's DSL services for their connectivity needs. The implications for network security are significant, as compromised routers can be used to conduct further reconnaissance, launch attacks against other networks, or serve as command and control nodes in larger attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1188 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 6.14.00 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address the certificate verification flaws. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices and limit the potential blast radius of any successful exploitation attempts. Additional security measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong access controls, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper certificate validation as outlined in the NIST SP 800-57 standards for cryptographic key management and the principles of secure authentication. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should include thorough vulnerability assessments of all network devices to identify similar certificate verification weaknesses and ensure that proper security controls are implemented across the entire network infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing robust security practices in network infrastructure devices, particularly those serving as gateways for customer connectivity.