CVE-2015-1437 in RT-N10+
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Asus RT-N10+ D1 router with firmware 2.1.1.1.70 allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the flag parameter to (1) result_of_get_changed_status.asp or (2) error_page.htm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2022
The CVE-2015-1437 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Asus RT-N10+ D1 wireless router model, specifically affecting firmware version 2.1.1.1.70. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a prevalent web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability manifests in two distinct locations within the router's web interface, making it particularly concerning as it provides multiple attack vectors for potential exploitation. The affected files include result_of_get_changed_status.asp and error_page.htm, both of which are part of the router's administrative web interface that handles various status and error reporting functions.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding within the router's web server implementation. When the router processes the flag parameter through the specified.asp and.htm files, it fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into the web response. This allows a remote attacker to craft malicious payloads that, when executed by a victim's browser, can perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing unauthorized commands on the router. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer of the router's web interface, meaning that an attacker does not need physical access or administrative privileges to exploit it. The attack can be initiated through a simple web request that includes malicious script code within the flag parameter, making it easily exploitable by attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a significant security risk for any network administrator or user who accesses the router's web interface. The vulnerability enables attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative functions, modify network settings, redirect traffic, or even establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. In a corporate or home network environment, this could lead to complete network compromise, as the router serves as a central point of network control and security enforcement. The vulnerability also aligns with several techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 tactic for application layer protocol usage, specifically web protocols, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to gain access to network resources. Network administrators who regularly access the router's web interface become potential targets for these attacks, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the router's management interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-1437 should begin with immediate firmware updates from Asus, as the vendor would have likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to router management interfaces to only authorized personnel and systems. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the affected.asp and .htm files. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts targeting these specific router interface files. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of accessing router management interfaces from untrusted networks or devices, as this vulnerability can be exploited through phishing attacks or compromised devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and highlights the need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices, particularly those with web-based management interfaces that are accessible from the internet. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for router access and regularly review access logs for signs of unauthorized attempts to exploit such vulnerabilities.