CVE-2018-0521 in WXR-1900DHP2
Summary
by MITRE
Buffalo WXR-1900DHP2 firmware Ver.2.48 and earlier allows an attacker to bypass authentication and execute arbitrary commands on the device via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0521 affects Buffalo WXR-1900DHP2 wireless routers running firmware versions 2.48 and earlier, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that enables remote code execution. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the device's web interface and command processing subsystems. The flaw allows attackers to circumvent the standard authentication procedures without proper credentials, thereby gaining unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions and underlying operating system. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may involve multiple attack surfaces including but not limited to parameter manipulation, session handling weaknesses, or improper access control implementations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in network devices. The authentication bypass occurs at the application layer where the router's web administration interface fails to properly validate user credentials or implement adequate session management controls. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that either reuse valid session tokens, manipulate authentication parameters, or exploit predictable authentication flows. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it provides full administrative privileges, enabling attackers to modify device configurations, install malicious firmware, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure.
The operational consequences of CVE-2018-0521 are severe and multifaceted, particularly within enterprise and home network environments where these devices serve as primary network gateways. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the router's functionality, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS hijacking, traffic interception, and lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network proximity, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with distributed networks or remote workers. Network security monitoring systems may not immediately detect such attacks as they often appear as legitimate administrative activities, complicating incident response and forensic analysis.
This vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, as attackers can execute arbitrary commands through the compromised administrative interface. The attack surface for this vulnerability includes web application interfaces, network protocols, and potentially API endpoints used for device management. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 2.49 or later, which address the authentication bypass mechanisms. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to limit the impact of potential exploitation, and continuous monitoring of network traffic for unusual administrative activities should be implemented. Additionally, regular security assessments of network infrastructure and mandatory patch management policies are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other network devices.