CVE-2017-3192 in DIR-130
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DIR-130 firmware version 1.23 and DIR-330 firmware version 1.12 do not sufficiently protect administrator credentials. The tools_admin.asp page discloses the administrator password in base64 encoding in the returned web page. A remote attacker with access to this page (potentially through a authentication bypass such as CVE-2017-3191) may obtain administrator credentials for the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3192 affects D-Link DIR-130 and DIR-330 wireless routers running specific firmware versions, presenting a critical security flaw in credential handling mechanisms. This vulnerability resides within the web interface administration components of these networking devices, specifically in the tools_admin.asp page which serves as a management interface for administrative functions. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in secure credential storage and transmission practices, as the system exposes administrative passwords in an easily recognizable format that compromises the entire device's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding principles and information protection standards. The firmware fails to properly obscure or encrypt administrator credentials during web page rendering, instead transmitting the password in base64 encoded format directly within the HTML response. This base64 encoding, while not encryption, provides minimal security protection and can be easily decoded by any attacker with basic technical knowledge. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and specifically relates to CWE-312, "Sensitive Data in Memory," and CWE-313, "Sensitive Data Encrypted with Weak Algorithm." The exposure occurs through the web interface, making it accessible to remote attackers who can intercept the HTTP response containing the encoded credentials.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential disclosure, creating a comprehensive security compromise that allows attackers to gain full administrative control over affected devices. When combined with related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2017-3191, which may provide authentication bypass capabilities, attackers can achieve complete system compromise without requiring legitimate credentials. This vulnerability affects network infrastructure devices that typically serve as gateways for network traffic, making the potential impact severe for organizations relying on these devices for network security. The exposed credentials enable attackers to modify router configurations, redirect network traffic, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, and potentially establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts," and T1566.001, "Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment," as attackers can leverage these credentials for further network infiltration and lateral movement.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the credential exposure issue and implement proper authentication mechanisms. Network administrators should disable unnecessary web management interfaces when possible and implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative functions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as well as the necessity of implementing robust authentication and authorization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and credential exposure incidents. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure credential handling in network infrastructure devices and the need for regular security assessments of embedded systems. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and network access controls can provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.