CVE-2016-6557 in RP-AC52
Summary
by MITRE
In ASUS RP-AC52 access points with firmware version 1.0.1.1s and possibly earlier, the web interface, the web interface does not sufficiently verify whether a valid request was intentionally provided by the user. An attacker can perform actions with the same permissions as a victim user, provided the victim has an active session and is induced to trigger the malicious request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-6557 affects ASUS RP-AC52 access points running firmware version 1.0.1.1s and potentially earlier releases, representing a critical security flaw in enterprise networking equipment. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface component of the device, creating a pathway for unauthorized actions to be executed on behalf of legitimate users. The vulnerability specifically targets the session management and request verification processes, where the system fails to properly authenticate and validate the origin of web requests. This weakness allows malicious actors to exploit existing user sessions and execute commands with the privileges of authenticated users who are currently logged into the device.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within the web interface of the ASUS RP-AC52 access point. When a user maintains an active session with the device, the system does not adequately verify whether incoming requests originate from the legitimate user or from an attacker who has managed to induce the user to perform malicious actions. This vulnerability operates under the principle that a user's session token can be leveraged by an attacker to execute unauthorized operations, effectively bypassing the normal authentication and authorization checks that should protect the device's administrative functions. The flaw falls under the category of insufficient verification of user requests, which is classified as CWE-352 in the CWE database, specifically addressing cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform administrative actions on the affected access points with the same privileges as legitimate users. This could result in complete network compromise, allowing attackers to modify network configurations, disable security features, redirect traffic, or even establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where these access points serve as critical network components, as it could lead to widespread disruption of network services and potential data breaches. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain persistent access to the network, potentially using the compromised access points as launching points for further attacks against internal systems or as a means to monitor network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust CSRF protection mechanisms within the web interface of the affected devices. Organizations should immediately update their ASUS RP-AC52 access points to the latest firmware versions that address this specific vulnerability, as ASUS would have likely released patches to resolve the issue. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures such as disabling unnecessary web interfaces, restricting access to administrative functions through network segmentation, and employing multi-factor authentication mechanisms where possible. The remediation process should include thorough network monitoring to detect any suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that all administrative access to network devices is properly logged and audited. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper session management and request validation controls, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, which are commonly exploited in network infrastructure compromises.