CVE-2017-14416 in DIR-850L
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DIR-850L REV. A (with firmware through FW114WWb07_h2ab_beta1) devices have XSS in the action parameter to htdocs/web/wandetect.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14416 affects D-Link DIR-850L REV. A wireless routers running firmware versions up to FW114WWb07_h2ab_beta1. This issue represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that resides within the web interface of the affected devices, specifically targeting the wandetect.php script located in the htdocs/web/ directory. The vulnerability manifests when the action parameter is manipulated in requests sent to this particular endpoint, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of a user's browser session.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the router's web administration interface. When the action parameter is passed to wandetect.php without proper sanitization, the device fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into web responses. This allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browser of any user who accesses the affected page. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The root cause lies in the device's failure to implement proper security measures for handling user-supplied data within the web interface, creating a persistent security weakness that can be exploited through crafted HTTP requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface or execute malicious code in the context of authenticated users. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as modifying router settings, stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious websites, or even installing malware on devices within the network. The vulnerability affects both authenticated and unauthenticated users since the XSS occurs in a publicly accessible web endpoint. This creates a risk where remote attackers can exploit the vulnerability without requiring prior authentication, potentially leading to complete compromise of the network infrastructure. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that many users may not be aware of the vulnerability, making exploitation more likely and harder to detect.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most effective immediate solution is to update the firmware to the latest version provided by D-Link, which would contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application framework would address the root cause. Security controls such as content security policies and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and organizations should consider implementing vulnerability management processes to identify and remediate similar issues across their network infrastructure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to ensure that web applications and network devices remain secure against known attack vectors.