CVE-2017-12590 in RT-N14UHP
Summary
by MITRE
ASUS RT-N14UHP devices before 3.0.0.4.380.8015 have a reflected XSS vulnerability in the "flag" parameter.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12590 affects ASUS RT-N14UHP wireless routers running firmware versions prior to 3.0.0.4.380.8015, representing a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of authenticated users. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interface of the router, specifically targeting the "flag" parameter which is improperly validated and sanitized during input processing. The reflected nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads are injected into the router's web interface through user-controllable parameters, which are then reflected back to the victim's browser without proper sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the router's web application framework. When the "flag" parameter is submitted through HTTP requests to the affected router's management interface, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web responses. This allows an attacker to craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript code that gets executed when a victim accesses the router's web interface, particularly when the victim is authenticated as an administrator. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through social engineering techniques where victims are tricked into clicking malicious links that contain the crafted payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform administrative actions on behalf of authenticated users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full administrative control of the router, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, change administrator passwords, install malicious firmware, or redirect traffic through malicious proxies. The reflected nature of the attack means that the vulnerability can be exploited without requiring persistent access to the router, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users may access the administrative interface. This vulnerability also aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions 3.0.0.4.380.8015 or later, which contain proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms that prevent malicious payloads from being executed. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting administrative access to trusted IP addresses, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure web application development practices, particularly in embedded networking equipment where administrators may not be as security-aware as end users, and highlights the necessity of proper input validation and output encoding as fundamental security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices.