CVE-2017-9930 in DX-350
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) exists in Green Packet DX-350 Firmware version v2.8.9.5-g1.4.8-atheeb, as demonstrated by a request to ajax.cgi that enables UPnP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9930 represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in the Green Packet DX-350 network device firmware version v2.8.9.5-g1.4.8-atheeb. This weakness resides within the device's web interface implementation and specifically affects the ajax.cgi endpoint which handles upnp functionality. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-csrf token validation mechanisms in the firmware's web administration interface, allowing malicious actors to execute unauthorized administrative commands without proper authentication. The affected device operates with a web-based management interface that fails to implement adequate csrf protection measures, making it susceptible to attacks where an attacker can trick authenticated users into performing unintended actions through malicious web pages or embedded content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the ajax.cgi endpoint which is designed to handle upnp (universal plug and play) related requests within the device's network configuration. When a user visits a malicious website or clicks on a compromised link while authenticated to the Green Packet DX-350 device, the attacker can leverage the missing csrf protection to submit requests that modify the device's configuration or enable upnp functionality without the user's knowledge or consent. This flaw operates under the common weakness enumeration CWE-352 which categorizes cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities as a serious threat to web application security. The vulnerability exists because the firmware does not implement proper csrf token validation, session management controls, or request origin verification mechanisms that would normally be expected in secure web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes as it provides attackers with potential access to critical network management functions within the device. An attacker who successfully exploits this csrf vulnerability could enable upnp functionality on the device, potentially allowing unauthorized network services to be exposed, modify network settings, or gain access to other administrative functions that are normally protected. This creates a significant risk for network administrators who may be unaware that their devices are being manipulated through seemingly benign user interactions. The vulnerability affects the device's security posture by undermining the authentication mechanisms and providing an attack vector that requires no specialized knowledge or credentials beyond the ability to craft a malicious webpage. This makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through social engineering techniques, phishing campaigns, or by embedding malicious content on compromised websites.
Mitigation strategies for this CVE-2017-9930 vulnerability must focus on implementing proper csrf protection mechanisms within the firmware's web interface. Network administrators should immediately upgrade to firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as the manufacturer has likely released patches to include anti-csrf token validation. The solution involves implementing csrf tokens that are generated per session and validated on each request to the ajax.cgi endpoint, ensuring that requests originate from the legitimate web interface rather than external malicious sources. Security professionals should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of management interfaces to trusted networks only. Additionally, regular security audits of network devices should include verification of csrf protections in web interfaces, and organizations should follow the ATT&CK framework's approach to identifying and mitigating web application vulnerabilities through proper input validation and session management controls. The remediation process should also include disabling unnecessary services such as upnp when not actively required, and implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts.