CVE-2018-0633 in W300P
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Aterm W300P Ver1.0.13 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary code via submit-url parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0633 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Aterm W300P wireless router firmware version 1.0.13 and earlier. This issue resides in the handling of the submit-url parameter, which is processed by the device's web interface when administrators interact with the router's configuration management system. The vulnerability manifests when the router fails to properly validate the length of input data submitted through this parameter, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors with administrative access privileges.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the router's web application layer. When an authenticated administrator submits a crafted payload through the submit-url parameter, the system attempts to store this data in a fixed-size buffer without adequate bounds checking. This classic programming error allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also align with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The attack vector requires administrative credentials, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be particularly dangerous in environments where router administration is not properly secured.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2018-0633 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to gain complete control over the affected router, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, or establish persistent backdoors for future access. This can result in significant network compromise, including the ability to intercept communications, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for accessing internal network resources. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only administrative privileges, which may be obtained through other means such as default credential exploitation, phishing attacks, or social engineering campaigns, making the overall attack surface considerably broader than initially apparent.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation for this vulnerability. Immediate remediation involves upgrading the Aterm W300P firmware to versions that address the buffer overflow condition, as provided by the manufacturer. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit administrative access to router interfaces, ensuring that only authorized personnel can interact with critical network infrastructure. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential privilege escalation vectors, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing the principle of least privilege for network administration, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on credential access and privilege escalation techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed HTTP requests targeting web application interfaces, particularly those involving parameter manipulation patterns associated with buffer overflow exploits.