CVE-2017-16887 in LM53Q1
Summary
by MITRE
The portal on FiberHome Mobile WIFI Device Model LM53Q1 VH519R05C01S38 uses SOAP based web services in order to interact with the portal. Unauthorized Access to Web Services can result in disclosure of the WLAN key/password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16887 affects FiberHome Mobile WIFI Device Model LM53Q1 VH519R05C01S38 which employs SOAP based web services for portal interaction. This represents a significant security weakness in the device's authentication and access control mechanisms. The device utilizes web services to manage network configurations and user access, creating a potential attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network credentials.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate authentication controls within the SOAP web services implementation. SOAP web services typically require proper authentication mechanisms such as username/password combinations, API keys, or token-based authentication to verify client identity before granting access to protected resources. In this case, the device appears to lack sufficient authorization checks, allowing any unauthenticated attacker to access the web services and potentially retrieve the WLAN key/password. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it directly compromises the security of wireless network communications. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can obtain the WLAN key/password which provides them with full access to the wireless network. This unauthorized access enables the attacker to perform various malicious activities including network monitoring, data interception, unauthorized device access, and potential lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability essentially undermines the fundamental security principle of network isolation and access control.
The attack surface for this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that the device operates in a mobile environment where it may be deployed in various locations including public spaces, corporate environments, or residential areas. The exploitation process likely involves intercepting SOAP requests or directly accessing web service endpoints without proper authentication, potentially using automated tools to discover and exploit the vulnerable interface. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage and T1046 for network service scanning.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper authentication controls for all web services, including the enforcement of strong authentication mechanisms such as token-based authentication, API key validation, or mutual TLS authentication. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to SOAP endpoints to authorized administrative systems only. Regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in web service implementations. Additionally, device firmware updates should be applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen the overall security posture of the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure web service development practices and proper authentication implementation in network devices. Organizations should implement comprehensive security testing including penetration testing and web service vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in their network infrastructure. This particular vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple network devices can present significant security risks when proper security controls are not implemented in their web service interfaces.