CVE-2017-16902 in VDV-23 115
Summary
by MITRE
On the Vonage VDV-23 115 3.2.11-0.9.40 home router, sending a long string of characters in the loginPassword and/or loginUsername field to goform/login causes the router to reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16902 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting the Vonage VDV-23 115 3.2.11-0.9.40 home router firmware. This issue manifests when attackers submit excessively long character strings through the loginUsername and loginPassword fields within the goform/login endpoint, triggering an unintended system reboot. The flaw demonstrates a classic improper input validation vulnerability that allows for arbitrary code execution through system instability rather than direct code injection. The router's web interface processes user credentials without adequate bounds checking, creating a condition where input data exceeds allocated memory buffers and causes the device to crash and restart. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a significant security risk for home network infrastructure. The vulnerability exists within the device's web server component that handles authentication requests, specifically in how it processes form data submitted through the HTTP POST method. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform denial of service attacks against the affected router, potentially disrupting network connectivity for all devices connected to the compromised network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential network compromise and unauthorized access scenarios. When the router reboots repeatedly, it creates a denial of service condition that can last for extended periods, effectively cutting off internet connectivity for all connected devices. The reboot mechanism provides attackers with a method to maintain persistent network disruption, as the device automatically restarts and returns to its vulnerable state. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks and can be leveraged as part of broader compromise strategies. The affected firmware version demonstrates inadequate memory management practices and insufficient input sanitization, indicating poor software development security practices. Network administrators should note that this vulnerability affects not only the authentication functionality but also represents a broader class of firmware security issues common in consumer-grade networking equipment. The device's inability to properly handle oversized input data creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized control over the device's operation and potentially escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16902 require immediate firmware updates from Vonage, as no effective workarounds exist for the underlying buffer overflow condition. The manufacturer should provide patched firmware versions that implement proper input validation and buffer management techniques to prevent oversized strings from causing system instability. Network administrators should disable unnecessary services and restrict access to the router's web interface through firewall rules to limit potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation at all layers of network infrastructure, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints often lead to inadequate security measures. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual reboot patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The affected device represents a common class of security issues found in IoT and networking equipment where security considerations are often secondary to functionality and cost optimization. Regular firmware updates and security assessments of network infrastructure components remain critical defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the need for robust software security practices in embedded systems and emphasizes that consumer-grade devices often lack the security rigor found in enterprise solutions. Proper implementation of input validation, bounds checking, and memory management practices would prevent this type of exploitation and protect network infrastructure from unauthorized disruption.