CVE-2016-1525 in Management System NMS300
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in data/config/image.do in NETGEAR Management System NMS300 1.5.0.11 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the realName parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-1525 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the NETGEAR Management System NMS300 version 1.5.0.11 and earlier implementations. This security weakness resides in the data/config/image.do component of the system's web interface, specifically affecting the realName parameter handling mechanism. The vulnerability enables authenticated remote attackers to exploit improper input validation and path resolution techniques to access arbitrary files on the underlying file system. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied input parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate file paths through directory traversal sequences using the .. (dot dot) notation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an authenticated user submits a specially crafted request containing directory traversal sequences within the realName parameter of the image.do endpoint. The system fails to properly validate or sanitize this input, permitting attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory boundaries and access sensitive files that should remain restricted. This type of vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The attack vector leverages the system's inadequate input validation controls, allowing attackers to bypass normal access controls and potentially obtain confidential information, system credentials, or other sensitive data stored within the device's file system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with the capability to access critical system files that may contain configuration data, user credentials, or other sensitive information. In the context of network management systems like the NMS300, this vulnerability could enable attackers to compromise the entire management infrastructure, potentially leading to unauthorized network access, device configuration changes, or complete system takeover. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and access system resources that should be protected from unauthorized access. This vulnerability aligns with the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1083 - File and Directory Discovery, where adversaries seek to enumerate files and directories to understand the system structure and identify valuable targets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1525 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the affected application components. System administrators should immediately upgrade to the latest firmware versions provided by NETGEAR that address this vulnerability through proper path validation and input sanitization. The implementation of proper parameter validation should include strict filtering of special characters and directory traversal sequences, ensuring that all user-supplied inputs are properly sanitized before being processed by the system. Additionally, organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege by restricting access to management interfaces and implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack surfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other network management systems and web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious directory traversal attempts and prevent exploitation attempts before they can succeed.