CVE-2018-13308 in A3002RU
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting in notice_gen.htm in TOTOLINK A3002RU version 1.0.8 allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript by modifying the "User phrases button" field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13308 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the TOTOLINK A3002RU router firmware version 1.0.8. This issue resides within the notice_gen.htm web interface component, which is responsible for generating user notices and handling input validation for various administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically affects the "User phrases button" field, which serves as an entry point for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code into the router's web interface. This flaw demonstrates a classic insufficient input validation weakness that allows attackers to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code within the context of a user's browser session.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the User phrases button field, which fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web interface. When an attacker submits malicious JavaScript code through this field, the router's web application processes the input without adequate sanitization or encoding, allowing the malicious payload to be executed when the notice is displayed to authenticated users. This represents a direct violation of secure coding principles and demonstrates a failure in the application's input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1211 which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to malicious websites. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the router's administrative interface, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects all users who have access to the router's web interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users can access the administrative functions. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability exists in the web-based management interface, which is typically accessible from within the local network or potentially exposed to external access if proper network segmentation is not implemented.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK, as this is the most effective solution to address the root cause. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting access to the router's web interface to trusted IP addresses, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative functions, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as well as the necessity of regular security assessments of network equipment. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, and conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar issues that may exist in other devices or applications.