CVE-2017-17463 in Modem
Summary
by MITRE
Vivo modems allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information by reading the index.cgi?page=wifi HTML source code, as demonstrated by ssid and psk_wepkey fields.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17463 affects Vivo modems and represents a critical information disclosure flaw that enables remote attackers to access sensitive network configuration data. This vulnerability exists within the web interface of the modem's firmware, specifically in the index.cgi?page=wifi endpoint which serves HTML source code containing critical wireless network parameters. The flaw allows unauthorized remote access to sensitive information including the ssid field that reveals the wireless network name and psk_wepkey field that contains the wireless network password or key. This represents a fundamental security failure in the modem's web application implementation where sensitive configuration data is exposed without proper authentication mechanisms or access controls.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control measures within the modem's web interface. The index.cgi script fails to properly authenticate or authorize remote users before serving sensitive configuration data, creating an information disclosure vulnerability that directly violates security principles of least privilege and proper access control. This flaw aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper exposure of sensitive information, and specifically manifests as a weakness in the web application's authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability exists at the application layer where the modem's web server serves static HTML content that includes sensitive network configuration parameters without requiring proper credentials or session management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete wireless network credentials that can be used for unauthorized network access, man-in-the-middle attacks, or further network penetration. An attacker can remotely access the modem's web interface and extract the ssid and psk_wepkey fields, effectively compromising the wireless network security. This vulnerability enables passive network reconnaissance and can be exploited by threat actors to gain persistent access to the network, potentially leading to broader compromise of connected devices and systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that modems are typically deployed in residential and small business environments where network security may be insufficiently managed, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in unsecured or poorly configured networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17463 should focus on immediate firmware updates from Vivo to address the information disclosure vulnerability, along with network segmentation and access control measures. Organizations should implement strict network access controls to limit remote access to modem interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel can access the web management interfaces. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual access patterns to modem interfaces, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices. The remediation approach should follow industry standards including proper patch management procedures, secure configuration of network devices, and implementation of network access control lists to restrict unauthorized access to administrative interfaces. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper authentication mechanisms in embedded web applications, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and the NIST cybersecurity framework for critical infrastructure protection.