CVE-2015-7248 in ZXHN H108N R1A
Summary
by MITRE
ZTE ZXHN H108N R1A devices before ZTE.bhs.ZXHNH108NR1A.k_PE allow remote attackers to discover usernames and password hashes by reading the cgi-bin/webproc HTML source code, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-8703.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The CVE-2015-7248 vulnerability affects ZTE ZXHN H108N R1A broadband routers running firmware versions prior to ZTE.bhs.ZXHNH108NR1A.k_PE. This flaw represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive authentication credentials through improper access control mechanisms within the device's web interface. The vulnerability specifically resides in the cgi-bin/webproc HTML source code where authentication information is inadvertently exposed, creating a direct pathway for remote attackers to obtain username and password hash data without requiring any authentication credentials.
This technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and improper access control implementation within the router's web management interface. The vulnerability allows remote attackers to directly access the webproc CGI script which contains hardcoded or improperly secured authentication credentials. The exposure occurs through the HTML source code retrieval mechanism where sensitive information is stored in a manner that does not properly restrict access based on authentication status. This represents a classic case of insecure direct object reference vulnerability where the application fails to verify that the requesting entity has proper authorization to access the requested resource.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7248 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with the complete authentication credentials necessary to gain unauthorized access to the affected routers. Once attackers obtain the username and password hashes, they can potentially perform credential stuffing attacks against other systems, conduct brute force attacks to crack weak passwords, or use the credentials for lateral movement within networks where the router serves as an entry point. The vulnerability affects a significant number of consumer and small office routers, creating a large attack surface for threat actors who can leverage this information to compromise network security, monitor traffic, or establish persistent access to affected networks.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to the latest available versions that address this vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical infrastructure, and monitoring for suspicious network activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) classifications, representing a clear violation of the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1046 (Network Service Scanning) techniques, as it provides legitimate authentication credentials that can be used to establish persistence and conduct reconnaissance activities within compromised networks. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and disabling unnecessary web management interfaces to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities.