CVE-2018-10165 in EAP Controller
Summary
by MITRE
Stored Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the TP-Link EAP Controller and Omada Controller versions 2.5.4_Windows/2.6.0_Windows allows authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the userName parameter in the local user creation functionality. This is fixed in version 2.6.1_Windows.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2020
The vulnerability CVE-2018-10165 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw in TP-Link's EAP Controller and Omada Controller software versions 2.5.4_Windows and 2.6.0_Windows. This weakness specifically targets the local user creation functionality within the web-based administrative interface, creating a persistent security risk that affects authenticated users who possess sufficient privileges to create new local user accounts. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, particularly when processing the userName parameter during account creation processes. Attackers exploiting this flaw can inject malicious scripts that will be stored on the server and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the controller's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input before storing it in the database or rendering it in web pages. When an authenticated attacker creates a new local user account with a maliciously crafted userName parameter, the system accepts the input without adequate validation, allowing HTML tags or JavaScript code to be embedded within the user name field. This stored data is then displayed in various administrative interfaces where other legitimate users might view the user list or account details. The flaw is classified as a stored XSS vulnerability under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation in web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear breakdown in the application's security architecture where input validation occurs too late in the processing pipeline, allowing malicious payloads to persist within the system's data store.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise the controller environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code through the userName parameter, they can potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform actions on behalf of other users within the controller's administrative context. The attack vector requires only authentication privileges to create local users, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple administrators have access to user management functions. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts in web browsers. The persistence of the stored payload means that the vulnerability remains active until the affected software is upgraded to version 2.6.1_Windows or later, which includes proper input sanitization measures.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability center on immediate software updates to version 2.6.1_Windows or higher, which addresses the root cause through proper input validation and sanitization of user parameters. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including network segmentation to limit access to controller interfaces, implementing role-based access controls to restrict user creation privileges, and monitoring user account creation activities for suspicious patterns. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure controllers and maintain up-to-date patch management procedures to prevent similar issues from arising in other components of the TP-Link ecosystem. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation at multiple layers within web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor oversights in parameter handling can create significant security risks. Regular security testing and code reviews focusing on user input handling should be implemented to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.