CVE-2017-8836 in Balance
Summary
by MITRE
CSRF exists on Peplink Balance 305, 380, 580, 710, 1350, and 2500 devices with firmware before fw-b305hw2_380hw6_580hw2_710hw3_1350hw2_2500-7.0.1-build2093. The CGI scripts in the administrative interface are affected. This allows an attacker to execute commands, if a logged in user visits a malicious website. This can for example be used to change the credentials of the administrative webinterface.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8836 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw affecting Peplink Balance series network appliances including models 305, 380, 580, 710, 1350, and 2500. This vulnerability exists in firmware versions prior to fw-b305hw2_380hw6_580hw2_710hw3_1350hw2_2500-7.0.1-build2093 and specifically targets the common gateway interface scripts within the administrative web interface. The flaw stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF protections in the affected devices, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate administrative functions without authentication.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious web pages that, when visited by an authenticated user, automatically submit requests to the vulnerable Peplink devices. Since the administrative interface lacks proper CSRF token validation mechanisms, the device processes these requests as legitimate administrative commands. This weakness enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices, potentially leading to complete compromise of the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication from the attacker, relying instead on social engineering techniques to trick administrators into visiting malicious sites while logged into the device's web interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8836 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete administrative control over affected network devices. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to change administrative credentials, modify network configurations, disable security features, or even install malicious firmware. The implications extend beyond simple credential theft, as compromised network appliances can serve as entry points for broader network infiltration, enabling attackers to pivot to other systems within the network. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely on Peplink devices for network security and traffic management, as the compromise of these devices can severely impact network availability and security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8836 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions 7.0.1 or later, which contain the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary administrative services, implementing strict firewall rules for administrative ports, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure. From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery issues, and represents a critical weakness in the application's authentication and authorization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential compromise, as it enables persistent access to network infrastructure that can be leveraged for data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, or as a platform for further attacks. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms in all web applications, particularly those with administrative functions. The attack pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through social engineering, making this vulnerability particularly insidious in enterprise environments where administrative access is frequently used and potentially exposed to various attack vectors.