CVE-2017-9490 in TG1682G
Summary
by MITRE
The Comcast firmware on Arris TG1682G (eMTA&DOCSIS version 10.0.132.SIP.PC20.CT, software version TG1682_2.2p7s2_PROD_sey) devices allows configuration changes via CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9490 affects Comcast firmware running on Arris TG1682G devices, specifically targeting the eMTA and DOCSIS version 10.0.132.SIP.PC20.CT with software version TG1682_2.2p7s2_PROD_sey. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of network device management by enabling unauthorized configuration modifications through Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks. The vulnerability resides within the web-based administration interface of the device, which fails to properly validate or authenticate configuration change requests originating from external sources.
The technical flaw manifests as the absence of proper anti-CSRF mechanisms within the device's web interface implementation. This allows an attacker to craft malicious web pages or send specially crafted requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, can modify device configuration parameters without proper authorization. The vulnerability stems from the device's failure to implement CSRF tokens or other validation mechanisms that would ensure configuration changes originate from legitimate administrative sessions. This weakness directly maps to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a security vulnerability where the application fails to validate that requests originate from the same origin as the user's current session.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to device configuration. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability can potentially modify critical network settings including firewall rules, routing configurations, DNS server settings, and other parameters that control network traffic. This could lead to complete network compromise, enabling man-in-the-middle attacks, traffic interception, or redirection of network traffic to malicious destinations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into visiting malicious websites that automatically submit configuration change requests to the vulnerable device.
The attack vector for this vulnerability typically involves an attacker crafting a malicious webpage that contains embedded requests to the device's administrative interface. When an authenticated user visits this page, the browser automatically submits the requests without user interaction, assuming the user is currently logged into the device's web interface. This attack requires no special privileges or credentials beyond those already possessed by an authenticated user, making it particularly insidious. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072, which describes the use of web-based attack techniques to gain unauthorized access to systems. Organizations using these devices face significant risk as the attack can be executed remotely and does not require physical access to the device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9490 should focus on implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the device's web interface. This includes implementing unique, unpredictable tokens for each user session that are validated before any configuration changes are applied. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as disabling unnecessary web interfaces, restricting access to administrative functions through firewall rules, and ensuring that administrative sessions timeout appropriately. The device firmware should be updated to versions that include proper CSRF protection mechanisms, and organizations should regularly audit their network infrastructure for similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of visiting untrusted websites and clicking on suspicious links remains critical in preventing successful exploitation of this type of vulnerability.