CVE-2015-5999 in DIR-816L Wireless Router
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the D-Link DIR-816L Wireless Router with firmware before 2.06.B09_BETA allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that (1) change the admin password, (2) change the network policy, or (3) possibly have other unspecified impact via crafted requests to hedwig.cgi and pigwidgeon.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2024
The CVE-2015-5999 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery weakness affecting D-Link DIR-816L wireless routers running firmware versions prior to 2.06.B09_BETA. This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration CWE-352 framework, specifically addressing the lack of proper anti-CSRF protection mechanisms in web-based administrative interfaces. The flaw manifests through the router's web management interface which fails to implement adequate token validation or session integrity checks when processing administrative requests.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP requests sent to the router's hedwig.cgi and pigwidgeon.cgi endpoints. These CGI scripts serve as the primary interface for administrative functions within the router's web-based management system. Attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to originate from authenticated administrators, thereby bypassing the router's authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets three critical administrative functions including password changes, network policy modifications, and potentially other unspecified administrative operations that could compromise the entire network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to assume administrative privileges without requiring valid credentials. This creates a significant risk for network security since the compromised router becomes an entry point for further network infiltration. The ability to change administrator passwords effectively locks out legitimate users while simultaneously allowing attackers to maintain persistent access. Network policy modifications can alter firewall rules, DNS settings, and other critical network configurations that could facilitate data exfiltration, network disruption, or serve as a pivot point for attacking other networked devices.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given the widespread deployment of D-Link DIR-816L routers in both residential and small business environments. These devices often serve as the primary gateway for network traffic and may be accessible from untrusted networks, making them attractive targets for exploitation. The vulnerability's remote nature eliminates the need for physical access or network proximity, enabling attackers to compromise devices from anywhere on the internet. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1566 for credential harvesting through social engineering or compromised network access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5999 primarily focus on firmware updates from D-Link, which would implement proper anti-CSRF token mechanisms and session validation. Network administrators should immediately upgrade to firmware version 2.06.B09_BETA or later, as this update addresses the underlying authentication bypass issues. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to isolate critical devices, deploying web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious requests, and conducting regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing proper network monitoring to detect unauthorized administrative changes that could indicate exploitation attempts.