CVE-2015-7291 in DG860A
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) 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 hijack the authentication of arbitrary users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2024
The CVE-2015-7291 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in the web management interface of several Arris residential gateway devices including the DG860A, TG862A, and TG862G models. This vulnerability exists within the adv_pwd_cgi component of the device's web interface and affects firmware versions ranging from TS0703128_100611 through TS0705125D_031115. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate authenticated sessions by tricking users into executing unauthorized commands without their knowledge or consent, effectively allowing attackers to hijack user authentication sessions.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation within the affected web interface components. When legitimate users access the web management interface of these devices, the system fails to adequately verify the authenticity of requests originating from the same user session. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or exploit existing vulnerabilities in web browsers to submit forged requests that appear to come from authenticated users. These forged requests can modify device configurations, change administrator passwords, or perform other administrative actions that should require explicit user consent. The vulnerability specifically targets the advanced password configuration CGI script which handles sensitive administrative operations, making it particularly dangerous for device security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with persistent access to critical network infrastructure. Once exploited, attackers can gain full administrative control over the affected devices, potentially enabling them to modify network settings, redirect traffic, or establish backdoor access points. This access can compromise the entire local network, as these devices often serve as the primary gateway and router for residential or small business networks. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for widespread deployment. The affected firmware versions represent a significant portion of devices deployed in residential environments, increasing the potential attack surface considerably.
Security professionals should note this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique under the T1078 credential access sub-technique, where adversaries leverage weak authentication controls to gain administrative access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Arris, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure web application development practices, particularly around session management and request validation. Device administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, changing default credentials, and establishing robust network access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities.