CVE-2015-7787 in WL-330NUL
Summary
by MITRE
ASUS Japan WL-330NUL devices with firmware before 3.0.0.42 allow remote attackers to discover the WPA2-PSK passphrase via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-7787 affects ASUS Japan WL-330NUL wireless routers running firmware versions prior to 3.0.0.42. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the wireless access point's implementation that allows remote attackers to extract the WPA2-PSK passphrase through unspecified attack vectors. The vulnerability resides within the device's firmware handling mechanisms and demonstrates a significant failure in proper authentication and encryption protocol implementation. Such weaknesses in wireless infrastructure devices can have widespread implications for network security across various organizational environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure, where an attacker can obtain sensitive network credentials without requiring physical access or sophisticated exploitation techniques. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack may exploit weaknesses in the device's web interface, management protocols, or wireless configuration handling processes. This type of vulnerability typically involves improper input validation or insufficient access controls that allow unauthorized parties to retrieve configuration data including wireless network passwords. The flaw represents a failure in the principle of least privilege and demonstrates inadequate security measures in the device's firmware architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-7787 extends beyond simple credential theft, as it compromises the fundamental security of wireless networks that rely on WPA2-PSK authentication. Once an attacker obtains the passphrase, they can gain unauthorized access to the entire wireless network, potentially leading to full network compromise, data exfiltration, and lateral movement within the organization. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that deploy these devices in unsecured environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses information exposure, and represents a clear violation of network security best practices. The attack vector specifically relates to the ATT&CK technique T1046, which involves network service scanning and reconnaissance activities that lead to credential harvesting.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately upgrade their ASUS WL-330NUL devices to firmware version 3.0.0.42 or later, as this update contains the necessary patches to address the information disclosure flaw. Network administrators should also implement additional monitoring measures to detect unauthorized access attempts and consider temporary network segmentation while applying patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices. Security teams should prioritize patch management processes and ensure that all wireless access points and network devices are kept up to date with the latest security fixes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. This case demonstrates the critical need for robust device lifecycle management and the implementation of security controls that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive network configuration data.