CVE-2018-0583 in RT-AC1200HP
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerability in ASUS RT-AC1200HP Firmware version prior to 3.0.0.4.380.4180 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2020
The CVE-2018-0583 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in ASUS RT-AC1200HP wireless routers running firmware versions prior to 3.0.0.4.380.4180. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a prevalent web application security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability specifically affects the router's web-based administration interface, creating a significant attack surface that could be exploited by remote threat actors without requiring authentication or physical access to the device.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the router's web interface components. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed when other users navigate to affected pages or interact with the router's management interface. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple entry points within the web application may be susceptible to this attack, potentially including form fields, URL parameters, or other user-controllable inputs that are not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. This lack of precise vector identification makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it could affect various aspects of the router's administrative functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0583 extends beyond simple script injection, as it could enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the network environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, modify router configurations, or even gain persistent access to the network. The implications are severe because routers serve as the primary gateway for network traffic, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent footholds within corporate or home networks. This vulnerability directly relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol, as it allows for script execution and network protocol manipulation through the compromised device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0583 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation. Organizations should immediately upgrade all affected ASUS RT-AC1200HP routers to firmware version 3.0.0.4.380.4180 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Additionally, network administrators should implement proper input validation controls, regularly audit web application interfaces for similar vulnerabilities, and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust security practices for network infrastructure devices, as these components often receive less attention in traditional security monitoring programs compared to endpoints or servers.