CVE-2017-10846 in Wi-Fi STATION L-02F
Summary
by MITRE
Wi-Fi STATION L-02F Software version V10b and earlier allows remote attackers to bypass access restrictions to obtain information on device settings via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10846 affects Wi-Fi STATION L-02F devices running software version V10b and earlier, representing a critical access control flaw that enables remote attackers to bypass security restrictions and gain unauthorized access to sensitive device information. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of insecure direct object references and weak access control mechanisms, which are commonly exploited in IoT and embedded systems where proper authentication and authorization controls are insufficiently implemented. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack could potentially occur through multiple pathways including network-based exploitation, malformed packet injection, or manipulation of device communication protocols without requiring physical access or specialized credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient access control checks within the device's firmware or network stack. Attackers can leverage this weakness to obtain information about device settings without proper authorization, potentially exposing configuration parameters, network credentials, or other sensitive operational data. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as this leaked information could enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation, device takeover, or lateral movement within network environments. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285 (Improper Authorization) and CWE-668 (Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere) categories, demonstrating how insufficient access control mechanisms can create pathways for unauthorized data access in networked devices.
From an operational perspective, the remote exploitation capability of this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations deploying these devices in corporate, industrial, or residential environments. The ability to bypass access restrictions without requiring local presence or specialized equipment makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors from anywhere on the internet. The affected devices may contain sensitive configuration information that could reveal network topology, authentication mechanisms, or other operational details that could be leveraged for further attacks. This vulnerability also demonstrates the broader challenges faced in securing IoT ecosystems where devices often lack robust security features, proper update mechanisms, or comprehensive access control implementations.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates to the latest available versions that address this vulnerability, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should involve comprehensive device inventory management to identify all affected units, followed by coordinated firmware upgrades to patch the access control weaknesses. Security teams should also implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish baseline configurations that minimize the attack surface. This vulnerability highlights the importance of applying the principle of least privilege and implementing robust access control mechanisms in all networked devices, particularly those operating in unattended or remote environments where physical security is not feasible. The incident underscores the necessity of conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing of IoT deployments to identify and remediate similar access control weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors.