CVE-2015-7258 in ZXV10 W300
Summary
by MITRE
ZTE ADSL ZXV10 W300 modems W300V2.1.0f_ER7_PE_O57 and W300V2.1.0h_ER7_PE_O57 allows remote authenticated users to obtain user passwords by displaying user information in a Telnet connection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2024
The CVE-2015-7258 vulnerability affects ZTE ADSL ZXV10 W300 modems running specific firmware versions, presenting a significant security risk through improper privilege escalation and information disclosure mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the modems' Telnet service implementation, where authenticated users can exploit a flaw in the user information display functionality to extract stored passwords. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the modem's management interface, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks that bypass normal access controls.
The technical flaw manifests when legitimate authenticated users connect via Telnet to the modem's management interface and execute specific commands that trigger the display of user credentials in plaintext format. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages weak security controls in the modem's firmware implementation, where sensitive authentication data is not properly protected during display operations. The flaw represents a classic case of information disclosure through improper access control mechanisms, allowing attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to user accounts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-264 (Permissions, Privileges, and Access Controls) categories, demonstrating how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7258 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to network infrastructure and potentially compromise entire network segments. Once authenticated users can extract passwords, they gain the ability to maintain long-term access to the modem's management interface, allowing for continued monitoring, configuration changes, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability creates an attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) by providing legitimate access paths that can be exploited for further compromise. Organizations using these modems face potential exposure to man-in-the-middle attacks, unauthorized network configuration changes, and complete loss of modem administrative control.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7258 require immediate firmware updates from ZTE to address the underlying implementation flaw in the Telnet service. Network administrators should disable Telnet access entirely and implement SSH-based management protocols for secure remote access. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can limit the impact of compromised credentials, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized access paths exist. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in network infrastructure devices, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of embedded systems. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential exposure events, ensuring that any exploitation attempts are quickly identified and contained.