CVE-2017-9675 in DIR-605L
Summary
by MITRE
On D-Link DIR-605L devices, firmware before 2.08UIBetaB01.bin allows an unauthenticated GET request to trigger a reboot.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2024
The CVE-2017-9675 vulnerability affects D-Link DIR-605L wireless routers and represents a significant security flaw in the device's firmware implementation. This vulnerability stems from improper authentication mechanisms within the web interface of the affected devices, allowing any remote attacker to execute a reboot operation without requiring valid credentials or authentication. The issue manifests through a specifically crafted GET request that can be sent to the device's web management interface, triggering an unauthorized system reboot. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of insufficient authentication, which is classified as CWE-287 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the device's access control mechanisms, where the system fails to properly validate the identity of the requesting entity before executing privileged operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the device's web server component, which processes HTTP GET requests without adequate authentication checks. When an attacker sends a specific GET request to the router's management interface, the system executes the reboot command without verifying the requester's credentials or authorization status. This behavior represents a critical design flaw in the device's security architecture, as it allows arbitrary remote code execution through a simple network request. The vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 2.08UIBetaB01, indicating that D-Link had identified and addressed this issue in their subsequent releases. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform denial of service attacks against the affected network infrastructure, potentially disrupting network connectivity for legitimate users and creating opportunities for further exploitation. The attack vector requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous as it can be easily exploited by any remote attacker with basic network access.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9675 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access patterns and conduct more sophisticated attacks. The unauthorized reboot capability can be leveraged to disrupt network services, potentially masking other malicious activities or creating temporary access windows for additional exploitation attempts. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1072 - Software Deployment Tools category, as it enables unauthorized modification of device behavior through legitimate administrative functions. The vulnerability also relates to T1499 - Endpoint Denial of Service, as it provides a mechanism for attackers to disrupt network services. Organizations using affected D-Link DIR-605L devices face significant operational risks, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access to the device or knowledge of network credentials. The ease of exploitation makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt network operations or establish footholds within targeted environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9675 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation measures. Device administrators should immediately upgrade to firmware version 2.08UIBetaB01 or later, which includes proper authentication mechanisms and access controls to prevent unauthorized reboot operations. Network administrators should also implement firewall rules to restrict access to the device's management interface, particularly limiting access to trusted IP addresses and blocking unauthorized HTTP requests. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious GET requests targeting the affected device's management interface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing proper network access controls, as these measures can prevent exploitation of similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices within their network infrastructure and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to address similar security flaws across all network equipment.