CVE-2018-12455 in NPLUG
Summary
by MITRE
Intelbras NPLUG 1.0.0.14 wireless repeater devices have a critical vulnerability that allows an attacker to authenticate in the web interface just by using "admin:" as the name of a cookie.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12455 affects Intelbras NPLUG wireless repeater devices running firmware version 1.0.0.14 and potentially other versions. This critical security flaw resides in the web interface authentication mechanism, representing a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture that allows unauthorized access through a simple and predictable authentication method. The vulnerability demonstrates a severe lack of proper credential validation and session management within the device's web administration interface.
The technical flaw manifests as a hardcoded or improperly configured authentication cookie mechanism where the system accepts "admin:" as a valid authentication token without requiring any additional verification. This represents a classic case of weak authentication implementation and improper session handling, where the device fails to properly validate user credentials before granting access to administrative functions. The vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor access method that bypasses all normal authentication procedures, making it extremely dangerous for network security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows any attacker with network access to gain full administrative control over the affected wireless repeater devices. This unauthorized access enables attackers to modify network configurations, implement man-in-the-middle attacks, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but potentially entire wireless networks that rely on these repeaters for connectivity and coverage, creating a substantial risk for both personal and enterprise environments.
Security practitioners should recognize this vulnerability as a clear example of CWE-287 Improper Authentication, where the system fails to properly verify the identity of users attempting to access protected resources. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it allows adversaries to gain access using valid administrative credentials without requiring additional exploitation. Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices, disable unnecessary web interfaces, and deploy network monitoring to detect suspicious authentication patterns. The recommended mitigation strategy includes firmware updates from Intelbras, network access controls, and regular security assessments to identify similar authentication flaws in other network infrastructure components.