CVE-2018-13313 in A3002RU
Summary
by MITRE
In TOTOLINK A3002RU 1.0.8, the router provides a page that allows the user to change their account name and password. This page, password.htm, contains JavaScript which is used to confirm the user knows their current password before allowing them to change their password. However, this JavaScript contains the current user’s password in plaintext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13313 affects the TOTOLINK A3002RU router model running firmware version 1.0.8, representing a critical security flaw in the device's web-based administrative interface. This issue resides within the password.htm page that users encounter when attempting to modify their account credentials, exposing a fundamental weakness in the authentication confirmation mechanism. The vulnerability demonstrates poor security practices in web application development where sensitive information is inadvertently exposed through client-side code execution.
The technical flaw manifests through the inclusion of the current user's password in plaintext within the JavaScript code of the password.htm page. This design decision violates core security principles by storing sensitive authentication data in a manner accessible to any user with access to the web interface. The JavaScript code serves as a confirmation mechanism to verify that users know their current password before permitting changes, yet this verification process fails to properly protect the password information. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices, as the password is transmitted in cleartext rather than being handled through secure server-side validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it fundamentally undermines the security posture of the entire network infrastructure. An attacker who gains access to the router's web interface can immediately extract the administrator password from the JavaScript code, eliminating the need for additional attack vectors or credential cracking attempts. This exposure enables unauthorized access to the router's administrative functions, potentially allowing for complete network compromise through configuration changes, firmware updates, or the establishment of persistent access points. The vulnerability also creates an environment where social engineering attacks become significantly more effective, as attackers can easily obtain valid credentials without sophisticated exploitation techniques.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-312 (Cleartext Storage of Sensitive Information) and CWE-540 (Inclusion of Sensitive Information in Source Code), both of which address the improper handling of sensitive data in application code. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this issue maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) as it provides an avenue for credential theft and unauthorized access. The flaw also relates to T1087 (Account Discovery) as it enables attackers to easily identify and exploit valid administrative accounts without the need for brute force or password spraying techniques. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates, network segmentation to limit access to the router's administrative interface, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in web applications, particularly those handling authentication credentials and sensitive user data.