CVE-2017-13724 in MU553S
Summary
by MITRE
On the Axesstel MU553S MU55XS-V1.14, there is a Stored Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in the APN parameter under the "Basic Settings" page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2019
The CVE-2017-13724 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross site scripting flaw discovered in the Axesstel MU553S MU55XS-V1.14 wireless modem device. This vulnerability specifically affects the APN parameter field within the device's web-based management interface under the "Basic Settings" page. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious javascript code into the APN configuration field, which gets stored on the device and subsequently executed whenever the parameter is rendered in the web interface. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where the malicious input is permanently stored on the server rather than being reflected in a single request.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the device's web management interface. When administrators or users enter data into the APN parameter field, the device fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before storing it in its configuration database. This oversight creates a persistent security risk where any malicious script entered into the field becomes permanently embedded within the device's configuration and executes in the context of the victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the device's administrative interface, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to the device's configuration parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13724 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the device's management environment. An attacker could potentially steal administrative session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, or even inject commands that could compromise the device's network connectivity or configuration settings. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious code persists across device reboots and configuration changes, making it particularly dangerous for long-term exploitation. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables persistent command execution through crafted input fields.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on input sanitization and output encoding within the device's web interface. Device manufacturers should implement proper validation of all user inputs, particularly those stored in configuration fields, and ensure that all output rendered to the browser is properly escaped to prevent script execution. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the attack surface, while regular firmware updates should be deployed to address known vulnerabilities. Organizations using affected Axesstel devices should conduct immediate vulnerability assessments and consider implementing network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure web application development practices and adherence to security standards such as OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on input validation and output encoding controls to prevent cross site scripting attacks.