CVE-2016-10405 in DIR-600L
Summary
by MITRE
Session fixation vulnerability in D-Link DIR-600L routers (rev. Ax) with firmware before FW1.17.B01 allows remote attackers to hijack web sessions via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The CVE-2016-10405 vulnerability represents a critical session fixation flaw discovered in D-Link DIR-600L routers with firmware versions prior to FW1.17.B01. This vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interface of the router, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the authentication mechanism and hijack active user sessions. The issue stems from the router's failure to properly regenerate session identifiers upon successful authentication, allowing malicious actors to maintain persistent access to the device's administrative interface. The vulnerability exists within the router's web server implementation and affects users who access the device's management console through a web browser interface.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the router's session management system not adequately handling session token regeneration during the authentication process. When a user successfully logs into the router's web interface, the system should generate a new, unique session identifier that cannot be predicted or reused by attackers. However, in affected versions, the router continues to use the same session token or fails to properly invalidate previous session identifiers, creating an environment where attackers can capture valid session tokens and reuse them to gain unauthorized access. This behavior aligns with common session fixation patterns documented in the CWE database under category CWE-384, which specifically addresses session fixation vulnerabilities in web applications and network devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the router configuration, potentially leading to network compromise, man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, or the ability to redirect traffic through malicious proxies. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device or network presence, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and home network environments. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through unauthorized access to router settings, integrity by allowing potential modification of network configurations, and availability through possible denial of service scenarios if the attacker modifies critical network parameters.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version FW1.17.B01 or later, which address the session fixation issue through proper session token regeneration mechanisms. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as restricting web management access to specific IP addresses, enabling firewall rules to limit access to the router's management interface, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns or session activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper session management practices in network devices and aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access. Organizations should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other network devices that may be susceptible to similar session fixation issues, particularly in legacy network infrastructure that may not have received timely security updates. The incident highlights the critical need for regular firmware maintenance and proper security testing of network equipment to prevent exploitation of such fundamental authentication flaws.