CVE-2017-12575 in WG2600HP2
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on the NEC Aterm WG2600HP2 1.0.2. The router has a set of web service APIs for access to and setup of the configuration. Some APIs don't require authentication. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a crafted HTTP request to retrieve DHCP clients, firmware version, and network status (ex.: curl -X http://[IP]/aterm_httpif.cgi/negotiate -d "REQ_ID=SUPPORT_IF_GET").
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2020
The NEC Aterm WG2600HP2 router model running firmware version 1.0.2 contains a critical authentication bypass vulnerability that exposes sensitive network configuration data through unauthenticated web service APIs. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure direct object reference as defined by CWE-639, where the router's HTTP interface fails to properly validate user credentials before granting access to administrative functions. The flaw exists in the router's web service implementation where certain API endpoints are accessible without requiring proper authentication, creating an attack surface that allows unauthorized access to critical network information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's failure to enforce proper access controls on its HTTP interface. Specifically, the negotiate endpoint at /aterm_httpif.cgi/negotiate accepts HTTP requests without validating authentication tokens or session credentials. This allows attackers to craft malicious HTTP requests that can retrieve sensitive information including DHCP client listings, firmware version details, and current network status information. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and access control mechanisms that would typically be enforced by secure application design practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with comprehensive information about the network infrastructure and device configuration. An attacker who exploits this vulnerability can obtain detailed insights into active network clients, firmware versions that may contain known exploits, and overall network status that could be used for further attacks. This information disclosure vulnerability creates a foundation for more sophisticated attacks including network reconnaissance, targeted exploitation of known firmware vulnerabilities, and potential lateral movement within the network. The exposure of DHCP client information particularly enables attackers to identify connected devices and their network configurations, which could be leveraged for advanced persistent threat operations.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1046 for network service scanning and T1082 for system information discovery, as attackers can systematically gather information about network services and device configurations. The lack of authentication enforcement represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where administrative functions are exposed without proper authorization checks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from NEC, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and firewall rules that restrict access to the affected HTTP interface. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security testing and code review processes that should identify and remediate authentication bypass issues before deployment in production environments.