CVE-2018-12529 in N150
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Intex N150 devices. The router firmware suffers from multiple CSRF injection point vulnerabilities including changing user passwords and router settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-12529 affects Intex N150 wireless routers, representing a critical security flaw that exposes these devices to cross-site request forgery attacks. This issue manifests through multiple injection points within the router's web-based management interface, creating significant risks for network security and user privacy. The vulnerability resides in the firmware implementation of these consumer-grade networking devices, which are widely deployed in residential and small office environments where network security may be inadequately considered.
The technical flaw stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF mechanisms within the router's web administration interface. When users access the router's configuration pages, the device fails to implement sufficient validation controls to verify the authenticity of requests originating from authorized users. This allows attackers to craft malicious web pages or exploit existing vulnerabilities in web browsers to submit unauthorized requests to the router's management interface. The attack surface includes critical functions such as password modification and router configuration changes, which can be executed without proper authentication or user consent. These injection points enable attackers to manipulate router settings, potentially leading to complete network compromise, unauthorized access to connected devices, and disruption of network services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it creates a pathway for attackers to establish persistent access to the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can modify router settings to redirect traffic, disable security features, or create backdoor access points. The implications are particularly severe in residential environments where these devices often serve as the primary gateway to home networks, potentially exposing connected IoT devices, computers, and mobile devices to unauthorized access. The vulnerability also affects the integrity of the network configuration, as attackers can modify DNS settings, port forwarding rules, or firewall configurations to facilitate further attacks or establish persistent command and control channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-12529 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Intex if available, though many consumer devices may no longer receive security patches. Network administrators and users should implement additional protective measures including disabling remote management features, changing default credentials, and configuring firewall rules to restrict access to the router's administrative interface. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery, and represents a common weakness in web application security that can be exploited to compromise network infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the compromised router to gain deeper access to the underlying network. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual routing changes or traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability, while also conducting regular security assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other network devices.