CVE-2015-7290 in DG860A
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in adv_pwd_cgi in the web management interface on Arris DG860A, TG862A, and TG862G devices with firmware TS0703128_100611 through TS0705125D_031115 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the pwd parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2015-7290 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the web management interface of several Arris residential gateway devices including the DG860A, TG862A, and TG862G models. This vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions ranging from TS0703128_100611 through TS0705125D_031115, creating a persistent security weakness that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of authenticated users' browsers. The flaw exists in the adv_pwd_cgi component which handles password management functionality within the device's web interface, making it a prime target for exploitation by threat actors seeking unauthorized access to network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the password parameter handling mechanism. When users navigate to the advanced password configuration page, the application fails to properly sanitize the pwd parameter value before rendering it in the web response. This omission creates an opening for attackers to inject malicious script code that executes in the victim's browser context, effectively bypassing the device's authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack vector, where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without proper encoding or validation, allowing for arbitrary script execution within the web application's context.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7290 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized configuration changes. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain persistent access to the device's management interface, modify network settings, redirect traffic, or even install malware on the affected devices. The remote nature of this attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the devices, making it particularly dangerous for home and small office networks where such devices are commonly deployed. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting flaws as a fundamental weakness in web application security, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Arris to address the identified XSS flaw, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of management interfaces, and deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling remote management access to these devices when not actively needed, implementing strict input validation policies for all web applications, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices in web application development, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for protecting critical infrastructure components from similar attacks.