CVE-2018-0519 in FS010W
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in FS010W firmware FS010W_00_V1.3.0 and earlier allows an attacker to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2020
The CVE-2018-0519 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the FS010W firmware version 1.3.0 and earlier releases. This vulnerability resides within network security appliances manufactured by a specific vendor and affects the web-based administrative interface of these devices. The flaw enables malicious actors to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially compromising the security of users who access the device's management interface. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can facilitate session hijacking, credential theft, and other advanced persistent threats targeting network administrators.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the firmware's web interface components. Attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to inject malicious payloads through various entry points including form fields, URL parameters, or HTTP headers that are not properly sanitized before being rendered in the browser. This weakness falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is improperly handled during web page generation. The vulnerability's classification as a persistent XSS issue means that malicious scripts can be stored on the server and executed whenever legitimate users access affected pages, making it particularly dangerous for administrative interfaces where privileged users frequently log in.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0519 extends significantly beyond typical web application vulnerabilities due to the privileged nature of network security devices. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions of the firewall or network appliance, potentially enabling complete system compromise. The attack surface includes not only the device's web interface but also any associated network services that may be accessible through the compromised administrative session. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving web application exploitation and credential access, potentially enabling lateral movement within network environments where these devices serve as gateways or security controls.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the underlying XSS implementation flaws. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls to filter suspicious traffic, implementing strict input validation on all user-supplied data, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure components. The vulnerability's exploitation typically requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors with limited expertise in advanced penetration techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit known XSS vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure components.