CVE-2017-15634 in WVR
Summary
by MITRE
TP-Link WVR, WAR and ER devices allow remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary commands via command injection in the name variable in the wportal.lua file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2017-15634 affects TP-Link WVR, WAR, and ER series network devices, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary system commands. This vulnerability resides within the wportal.lua file where the name variable is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious command execution. The flaw specifically targets the web portal functionality of these devices, which are commonly used for wireless networking and router management purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web interface components of these TP-Link devices. When an authenticated administrator accesses certain management functions, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters in the name parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web server process. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 Command Injection, which is classified under the CWE top 25 most dangerous software weaknesses. The attack vector requires only authentication access to the device management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with full administrative control over the affected devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain access to network traffic, modify device configurations, redirect network traffic, or even use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This represents a significant risk for enterprise environments where these devices are commonly deployed, as they often serve as critical network infrastructure components. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from TP-Link to address the command injection flaw in the wportal.lua file. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitoring of administrative interfaces to detect unauthorized access attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting administrative access to only necessary personnel and systems. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads before they reach the vulnerable web interface components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in web-based management interfaces.