CVE-2016-10719 in Archer CR-700
Summary
by MITRE
TP-Link Archer CR-700 1.0.6 devices have an XSS vulnerability that can be introduced into the admin account through a DHCP request, allowing the attacker to steal the cookie information, which contains the base64 encoded username and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2023
The CVE-2016-10719 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting TP-Link Archer CR-700 version 1.0.6 wireless routers. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the device's web interface, specifically when processing DHCP request data. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute within the context of the administrator's browser session, creating a severe security risk for network administrators who manage these devices through web-based interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a sophisticated attack vector that leverages the router's DHCP handling mechanism. When a malicious client sends a specially crafted DHCP request containing malicious script payloads, the router's web interface fails to properly sanitize this input before rendering it in the admin dashboard. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an XSS vulnerability that can be classified under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to inject scripts that can access the browser's cookie storage, where session information is typically stored.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it directly enables credential theft through cookie manipulation. The attacker can extract base64 encoded authentication information from the victim's browser cookies, which contains the encoded username and password for the administrative account. This provides unauthorized access to the router's management interface, allowing attackers to modify network configurations, disable security features, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly concerning for enterprise and home network administrators.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering attacks through malicious content delivery. The attack chain begins with the delivery of malicious DHCP responses, followed by the execution of malicious scripts within the victim's browser context, and concludes with credential theft through cookie manipulation. Network administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as network segmentation, monitoring for unusual DHCP activity, and regular firmware updates to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and output encoding practices in web applications, as recommended by OWASP's secure coding guidelines. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network devices and implement proper access controls and authentication mechanisms to mitigate the risk of unauthorized administrative access.