CVE-2017-9494 in MX011ANM
Summary
by MITRE
The Comcast firmware on Motorola MX011ANM (firmware version MX011AN_2.9p6s1_PROD_sey) devices allows remote attackers to enable a Remote Web Inspector that is accessible from the public Internet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9494 affects Comcast-branded Motorola MX011ANM routers running firmware version MX011AN_2.9p6s1_PROD_sey. This issue represents a critical security flaw that exposes remote web inspector functionality to unauthorized internet access, creating significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from improper configuration of network services that should remain restricted to local network access only.
The technical flaw manifests through the improper exposure of a remote web inspector service that is typically intended for development and debugging purposes within controlled local environments. This service, when enabled in the device firmware, creates an unauthenticated access point that allows any internet-connected attacker to interact with the router's web-based interface remotely. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 as an improper access control issue, specifically involving inadequate permissions for network services. The remote web inspector functionality typically provides developers with debugging capabilities and web interface access, but in this case, it has been improperly configured to accept connections from external sources without proper authentication mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network. This exposure directly violates fundamental network security principles and creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by threat actors without requiring physical access to the device or knowledge of local network credentials. The vulnerability essentially transforms a local network device into a publicly accessible entry point for network reconnaissance and further attacks, aligning with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under initial access and privilege escalation tactics.
The implications extend beyond simple unauthorized access as this vulnerability can facilitate man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, and other network-level compromises that can affect all devices connected to the compromised router. Network administrators lose visibility into their network traffic and configuration changes, while end users face potential exposure of their personal data and network communications. The vulnerability also represents a failure in secure configuration management practices, as the remote web inspector should never be enabled in production environments without proper network segmentation and access controls. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including disabling the remote web inspector service, updating firmware where available, and implementing network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure-by-design principles and proper security configuration management in network device deployment, particularly in consumer-grade networking equipment where security updates may be infrequent or unavailable.