CVE-2017-11320 in TC7337
Summary
by MITRE
Persistent XSS through the SSID of nearby Wi-Fi devices on Technicolor TC7337 routers 08.89.17.20.00 allows an attacker to cause DNS Poisoning and steal credentials from the router.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The CVE-2017-11320 vulnerability represents a critical persistent cross-site scripting flaw in Technicolor TC7337 routers running firmware version 08.89.17.20.00. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of the Service Set Identifier field within the router's wireless network scanning functionality. When the router displays information about nearby Wi-Fi devices, it fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the SSID values, creating an exploitable condition that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the router's web interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of SSID values from nearby wireless networks that the router detects and displays. Attackers can craft malicious SSID names containing script tags or other XSS payload elements that get rendered in the router's web interface without proper sanitization. This persistent nature means that once a malicious SSID is detected and stored in the router's memory, the injected scripts will execute every time the affected interface is accessed, regardless of whether the original attacker remains present or active. The vulnerability specifically impacts the router's wireless network scanning and display functionality, where it processes and presents information about discovered networks to authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution to enable sophisticated attacks including DNS poisoning and credential theft. When an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts through the persistent XSS vector, they can manipulate the router's web interface to redirect DNS queries to malicious servers or modify the router's configuration settings. This allows for comprehensive network infiltration and data exfiltration capabilities, as attackers can capture administrative credentials, modify router configurations, and potentially establish persistent access to the network. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a foothold that can be leveraged for broader network compromise, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where router security is critical.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of persistent XSS where user input is stored and later executed without proper sanitization. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS and T1531 for credential access through web application exploitation. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify vulnerable routers, followed by injection of malicious SSID names that contain XSS payloads, and finally exploitation of the persistent vulnerability to gain administrative access and execute further malicious activities. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates, network segmentation to limit wireless device discovery, and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices.
The persistence of this vulnerability in the router's interface means that even after the initial attack vector is neutralized, the malicious scripts continue to execute, creating ongoing security risks. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly challenging to detect and remediate, as it can remain active for extended periods without user intervention. The combination of DNS poisoning capabilities with credential theft potential creates a comprehensive attack surface that can result in complete network compromise and data exfiltration. Network administrators should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades and implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual SSID patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also establishing regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components.