CVE-2016-9496 in HN7740S
Summary
by MITRE
Hughes high-performance broadband satellite modems, models HN7740S DW7000 HN7000S/SM, lacks authentication. An unauthenticated user may send an HTTP GET request to http://[ip]/com/gatewayreset or http://[ip]/cgi/reboot.bin to cause the modem to reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9496 affects Hughes high-performance broadband satellite modems including models HN7740S DW7000 HN7000S/SM which suffer from a critical authentication flaw in their web-based management interface. This weakness stems from the absence of proper authentication mechanisms within the modem's HTTP server implementation, allowing any remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands without requiring valid credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts the gateway reset and reboot functionality through direct HTTP GET requests to predetermined endpoints.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of access control validation within the modem's web server implementation, which is categorized under CWE-287 - Improper Authentication. The affected devices expose administrative functions through unsecured HTTP endpoints that do not require any form of authentication or authorization verification. When an unauthenticated user sends an HTTP GET request to either http://[ip]/com/gatewayreset or http://[ip]/cgi/reboot.bin, the modem processes these requests without validating the requester's credentials or privileges, effectively allowing full administrative control over the device's operational state.
This vulnerability creates significant operational impact as it enables remote attackers to perform unauthorized device reboots, potentially causing service disruption for legitimate users and creating denial-of-service conditions. The ability to remotely reboot satellite modems can result in extended service outages for critical communications infrastructure, particularly in remote or isolated locations where physical access may be difficult or impossible to obtain. The impact extends beyond simple disruption as these modems are often deployed in mission-critical environments where continuous connectivity is essential for business operations or emergency services.
The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 - Phishing for Information and T1499 - Endpoint Termination, as it provides attackers with a method to gain unauthorized access to network devices and potentially escalate privileges through device manipulation. Organizations utilizing these modems should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices, deployment of firewalls to block access to the vulnerable endpoints, and application of vendor-provided firmware updates when available. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts and establish monitoring protocols to detect suspicious HTTP requests targeting the affected endpoints. The lack of authentication in this context represents a fundamental security failure that violates basic security principles and requires immediate remediation to prevent exploitation by malicious actors.