CVE-2017-2273 in WMR-433
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in WMR-433 firmware Ver.1.02 and earlier, WMR-433W firmware Ver.1.40 and earlier allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators via unspecified vectors.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2019
The CVE-2017-2273 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting WMR-433 and WMR-433W wireless weather monitoring devices. This vulnerability resides within the firmware implementations of these devices, specifically versions 1.02 and earlier for WMR-433, and 1.40 and earlier for WMR-433W. The flaw permits remote attackers to exploit the authentication mechanisms of administrative accounts through unspecified attack vectors that leverage the fundamental weakness of CSRF exploitation. The vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, a well-documented class of web application security flaws that enable attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF measures within the device's web interface and administrative APIs. When administrators interact with the device's management interface, the system fails to validate that requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions. Attackers can craft malicious web pages or exploit existing web-based communication channels to trick administrators into executing unauthorized administrative commands. These commands typically involve configuration changes, credential modifications, or other privileged operations that should only be accessible to authorized personnel. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network proximity to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for networked IoT devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2273 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential compromise of the entire device management infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains administrative control over the weather monitoring device, potentially enabling them to modify device settings, access collected environmental data, or even use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This represents a significant risk for organizations relying on these devices for critical weather monitoring or environmental data collection, as the compromise could lead to data manipulation or complete device hijacking. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where these devices are connected to corporate networks or internet-facing systems, creating potential attack vectors for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on firmware updates and implementation of proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Device manufacturers should immediately release patched firmware versions addressing the authentication validation gap and ensure that all affected devices receive timely updates. Network administrators should implement strict access controls, including firewall rules that limit access to device management interfaces and ensure that these interfaces are not exposed to untrusted networks. The remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers credential harvesting through various means including web application attacks, and T1071.004 which addresses application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to isolate IoT devices and establish monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized configuration changes or suspicious administrative activities. Additionally, regular security assessments of IoT device fleets should include verification of CSRF protection mechanisms and proper authentication implementation to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in future device deployments.