CVE-2017-3193 in DIR-850L
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple D-Link devices including the DIR-850L firmware versions 1.14B07 and 2.07.B05 contain a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the web administration interface HNAP service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3193 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the web administration interface of multiple D-Link networking devices, specifically affecting models such as the DIR-850L with firmware versions 1.14B07 and 2.07.B05. This vulnerability resides within the HNAP service which stands for Host Network Access Protocol, a web service used for device management and configuration through standard HTTP requests. The flaw manifests when the device processes incoming HTTP requests containing malformed data in specific parameters, leading to an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected devices. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the HNAP implementation, where user-supplied data is directly copied into fixed-size stack buffers without proper bounds checking, creating an opportunity for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control flow information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to send specially crafted HTTP requests to the device's web interface, specifically targeting the HNAP service endpoints that handle administrative functions. When the device processes these malformed requests, the insufficient buffer size validation allows an attacker to overflow the stack buffer and potentially overwrite the instruction pointer or other critical control data. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in cybersecurity. The attack vector is remote and requires no authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to compromise devices from outside the network perimeter. The operational impact extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can result in complete device compromise, enabling attackers to gain persistent access to the network infrastructure, potentially leading to data breaches, man-in-the-middle attacks, or further lateral movement within the compromised network environment.
The implications of this vulnerability are severe given that D-Link devices are widely deployed in both enterprise and residential networking environments, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to establish persistent footholds within networks. The fact that the vulnerability exists within the web administration interface means that attackers can potentially gain unauthorized access to device configuration settings, modify network parameters, or even install malicious firmware. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as the ability to execute arbitrary code on network devices allows for the deployment of various malicious payloads and post-exploitation activities. Organizations utilizing affected D-Link devices should consider immediate remediation actions including firmware updates from D-Link, network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, particularly when implementing web services that handle user-provided data, as proper bounds checking and sanitization of input parameters could have prevented this exploitable condition from existing in the first place.