CVE-2016-7808 in CG-WLBARGMH
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in Corega CG-WLBARGMH and CG-WLBARGNL allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The CVE-2016-7808 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Corega wireless networking devices including the CG-WLBARGMH and CG-WLBARGNL models. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically affects the web-based management interfaces of these networking devices, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of users' browsers.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the affected device firmware. When users interact with the web management interface of these Corega devices, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input data before rendering it in web pages. This allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the device's web server, get executed in the browsers of legitimate users who visit the affected interface. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple input points within the device management web interface may be susceptible to this type of injection attack, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security assessment perspective.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7808 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within network environments. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially redirect users to malicious websites, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or even gain access to sensitive network configuration data. In enterprise environments where these devices are deployed, the vulnerability could enable attackers to compromise the entire wireless network infrastructure, as these devices often serve as gateways to internal networks and may contain credentials or configuration information that could be leveraged for further attacks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, as it could be exploited through social engineering campaigns targeting network administrators who might be tricked into visiting compromised management interfaces.
From a mitigation perspective, the primary recommendation involves applying firmware updates from Corega that address the input validation flaws in the web interface. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter traffic to these management interfaces. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing strong access controls with multi-factor authentication, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, as highlighted by CWE-79's emphasis on proper sanitization of user data before web page generation. Network administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous traffic patterns associated with exploitation attempts and maintain detailed logs of management interface access for forensic analysis purposes.