CVE-2015-7281 in WRT300N-DD
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability on ReadyNet WRT300N-DD devices with firmware 1.0.26 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2015-7281 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting ReadyNet WRT300N-DD wireless routers running firmware version 1.0.26. This vulnerability resides within the web-based administration interface of the device, creating a significant security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring any authentication credentials. The flaw stems from the absence of proper CSRF protection mechanisms in the router's web interface, specifically in the handling of administrative requests that modify device configuration settings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in the router's authentication flow where session tokens or CSRF protection mechanisms are either missing or insufficiently implemented. When an authenticated user accesses the router's web administration interface, the device should validate that requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session. However, in the vulnerable ReadyNet WRT300N-DD firmware, attackers can craft malicious web pages or send specially crafted HTTP requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, will perform administrative actions without proper authorization. This occurs because the router fails to implement anti-CSRF tokens or other validation mechanisms that would ensure requests are genuinely initiated by the authenticated user. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the web interface components responsible for configuration management and user authentication handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows attackers to hijack active user sessions and perform administrative actions on behalf of legitimate users. An attacker can potentially modify network settings, change administrator passwords, configure port forwarding rules, disable security features, or even redirect traffic through malicious configurations. This creates a persistent threat where compromised routers can serve as entry points for broader network attacks or be used as command and control centers for botnet activities. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the device or network presence, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise and residential environments where network security may be inadequate.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-7281 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from ReadyNet or alternative vendors that address the CSRF implementation flaws. Network administrators should implement additional defensive measures including disabling remote administration access where possible, restricting access to administrative interfaces through firewall rules, and monitoring for unusual configuration changes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1072 for Application Deployment Software, where compromised administrative interfaces can be used for further network infiltration. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious administrative activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits of network infrastructure are essential to identify and remediate similar implementation flaws in other network devices that may present comparable CSRF vulnerabilities.