CVE-2016-10861 in AirStream NAS1.1
Summary
by MITRE
Neet AirStream NAS1.1 devices allow CSRF attacks that cause the settings binary to change the AP name and password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10861 affects Neet AirStream NAS1.1 network attached storage devices, representing a significant security weakness that exposes these devices to cross-site request forgery attacks. This flaw allows unauthorized attackers to manipulate device configuration settings without proper authentication, specifically targeting the wireless access point configuration parameters. The vulnerability resides in the device's web interface implementation where it fails to properly validate and authenticate requests originating from external sources, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF mechanisms within the device's web application framework. When legitimate users interact with the device's web interface, the system should validate that requests originate from authorized sources and contain appropriate tokens to prevent unauthorized configuration changes. However, the NAS1.1 devices lack these protective measures, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that, when executed by authenticated users, modify critical wireless network settings including the access point name and password. This implementation flaw falls under the category of CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it fundamentally compromises the device's network security posture. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized control over the wireless access point, potentially creating a backdoor for further network infiltration or establishing a rogue access point to intercept network traffic. The modification of AP credentials directly affects network access control and can lead to unauthorized device access, data exfiltration, or disruption of network services. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where these devices may serve as network access points for multiple users or critical infrastructure components.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol communication, and T1566, which addresses credential access through social engineering or exploitation of trust relationships. The attack vector typically involves tricking authenticated users into visiting malicious websites or clicking on compromised links that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable device. The security implications include potential lateral movement within networks, unauthorized access to stored data, and the possibility of establishing persistent access through compromised wireless credentials. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader network security assessment, particularly when evaluating the security of IoT and embedded systems that lack proper input validation and authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms including the use of anti-CSRF tokens, implementing strict origin validation, and ensuring that configuration changes require explicit user confirmation through multi-factor authentication processes. Device manufacturers should also consider implementing rate limiting and logging mechanisms to detect and prevent unauthorized configuration changes. Network administrators should regularly update firmware, implement network segmentation, and monitor for unusual network access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of security by design principles and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in network infrastructure devices.