CVE-2018-10569 in EW-7438RPn Mini v2
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in Edimax EW-7438RPn Mini v2 before version 1.26. There is XSS in an SSID field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10569 represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Edimax EW-7438RPn Mini v2 wireless access point firmware version 1.25 and earlier. This issue resides in the SSID field configuration interface, where insufficient input validation allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the web-based management portal. The vulnerability stems from the device's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it within the browser context, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting weaknesses in web applications. When an attacker crafts a malicious SSID string containing JavaScript payload and configures it through the device's management interface, the payload executes within the context of any user's browser who views the affected configuration page. This creates a dangerous scenario where legitimate users may inadvertently execute malicious code, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS issue since the malicious script is stored in the device configuration and then reflected back to users when they access the management interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10569 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to manipulate the wireless network configuration in ways that can disrupt service availability or establish persistent access points. Network administrators who are logged into the device management interface become potential victims of this vulnerability, as their browser sessions could be hijacked or their credentials could be stolen through session manipulation techniques. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that many small office and home networks rely on devices like the Edimax EW-7438RPn Mini for basic wireless connectivity, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish footholds within larger networks. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1212, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to access sensitive information and manipulate system behavior.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 1.26 or later, which contain proper input sanitization measures that prevent XSS injection in the SSID field. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting access to the device management interface to trusted IP addresses only, implementing network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in embedded web interfaces and highlights the need for security-by-design principles in IoT and networking equipment development. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts.