CVE-2016-5650 in ZP-NE14-S
Summary
by MITRE
ZModo ZP-NE14-S and ZP-IBH-13W devices do not enforce a WPA2 configuration setting, which allows remote attackers to trigger association with an arbitrary access point by using a recognized SSID value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5650 affects ZModo ZP-NE14-S and ZP-IBH-13W wireless devices that fail to properly enforce WPA2 security configuration settings. This represents a critical flaw in wireless network authentication mechanisms that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of protected wireless communications. The devices in question are designed to operate as wireless access points or wireless bridges, serving as intermediaries in wireless network infrastructure deployments. When these devices do not properly validate WPA2 configuration parameters, they create a pathway for unauthorized network access that bypasses the intended security controls.
The technical flaw manifests as a failure in the wireless device's association process where it accepts association requests from any access point advertising a recognized SSID value without proper authentication verification. This vulnerability stems from inadequate implementation of wireless security protocols, specifically the WPA2 authentication framework that should enforce strict credential validation before establishing network connections. The device's failure to validate the authenticity of access point credentials creates an opportunity for attackers to exploit the wireless infrastructure through what is known as a man-in-the-middle attack vector. This weakness is classified under CWE-305 as "Authentication Bypass Through User Identification", where the system fails to properly authenticate users or access points before granting network access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to wireless networks by simply broadcasting a recognized SSID value that matches the target device's expected configuration. The attack can be executed without requiring physical access to the device or sophisticated technical knowledge, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and residential deployments. Network administrators may remain unaware of unauthorized access attempts since the malicious access point appears legitimate to the wireless device's association process. This vulnerability directly impacts the CIA triad by compromising confidentiality through unauthorized data access, integrity through potential data manipulation, and availability through possible network disruption.
The security implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader network compromise scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform wireless network reconnaissance, capture network traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. This weakness creates a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, network pivoting, or lateral movement within the compromised network environment. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1046 which describes "Network Service Scanning' and T1566 which covers 'Phishing for Information', as attackers can exploit the device's failure to properly authenticate wireless connections to gain network access. Organizations deploying these devices should consider implementing additional network segmentation, wireless intrusion detection systems, and regular wireless network audits to identify unauthorized access points.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate device firmware updates from the manufacturer, network monitoring to detect unauthorized access points, and implementation of additional authentication layers beyond WPA2. Network administrators should also consider deploying wireless network management systems that can detect and alert on unauthorized wireless devices or rogue access points within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper security configuration management and the need for robust wireless security implementation in network infrastructure devices. Organizations should also implement network access control policies that limit wireless device provisioning and ensure that all wireless infrastructure components maintain up-to-date security configurations to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities.