CVE-2018-1145 in N750
Summary
by MITRE
A remote unauthenticated user can overflow a stack buffer in the Belkin N750 using firmware version 1.10.22 by sending a crafted HTTP request to proxy.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1145 represents a critical stack buffer overflow condition affecting Belkin N750 wireless routers running firmware version 1.10.22. This security flaw resides within the web interface component of the device, specifically in the proxy.cgi script that handles incoming HTTP requests. The vulnerability manifests when the router processes malformed HTTP requests without proper input validation, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory layout through carefully crafted payload data. The stack buffer overflow occurs because the device fails to properly bounds-check user-supplied input before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers, creating a potential exploitation vector for remote code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length memory buffer allocated on the stack. The Belkin N750's proxy.cgi script does not implement adequate input sanitization or length checking mechanisms, enabling attackers to overflow the buffer and potentially overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely without authentication requirements, making it accessible to any attacker capable of sending HTTP requests to the device's web interface. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability affects the device's HTTP server component, which typically operates on standard ports 80 or 443, making exploitation relatively straightforward.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential complete system compromise. An unauthenticated remote attacker could leverage this buffer overflow to execute arbitrary code on the affected router, potentially gaining full administrative control over the device. This compromise could enable attackers to modify network configurations, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, install persistent backdoors, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking internal network resources. The vulnerability affects not just the individual device but could potentially impact entire network infrastructures if multiple Belkin N750 devices are deployed within the same network environment. Network security monitoring systems may not immediately detect exploitation attempts, as the malicious traffic could appear as legitimate HTTP requests, complicating detection and response efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-1145 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Belkin, as the vendor has released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malicious HTTP request patterns, and consider disabling unnecessary web interface access to the affected routers. Network administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all devices running the vulnerable firmware version and establish monitoring protocols to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1210 Exploitation of Remote Services, highlighting the importance of proper input validation and the need for network defenses against such remote exploitation techniques. Regular security audits and patch management processes should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future, particularly focusing on embedded devices that often receive insufficient security attention compared to traditional computing platforms.