CVE-2018-13317 in A3002RU
Summary
by MITRE
Password disclosure in password.htm in TOTOLINK A3002RU version 1.0.8 allows attackers to obtain the plaintext password for the admin user by making a GET request for password.htm.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13317 represents a critical security flaw in the TOTOLINK A3002RU router firmware version 1.0.8 where sensitive authentication information is exposed through an unauthenticated web endpoint. This issue manifests in the password.htm file which contains plaintext administrative credentials, making it accessible to any attacker who can reach the device's web interface. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls and insecure configuration practices within the router's web server implementation, where sensitive system information is served without adequate authentication or authorization checks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a simple GET request to the password.htm endpoint, which directly reveals the administrator password in plaintext format. This represents a fundamental failure in information security principles where sensitive data is not properly protected or encrypted. The flaw is categorized under CWE-200 as "Information Exposure" and specifically relates to CWE-542 which deals with "Information Exposure Through Web Page" where sensitive information is disclosed through web interfaces. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and access control mechanisms, as the web server does not properly verify the identity of requesting entities before serving privileged information.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk for network security as it allows remote attackers to gain immediate administrative access to the router without requiring any authentication credentials. The exposure of plaintext passwords eliminates the need for password cracking or other attack vectors, providing attackers with unrestricted access to router configuration settings, network traffic monitoring capabilities, and potential lateral movement within the network. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 which covers "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" but in this case represents a local account vulnerability that enables full administrative control. The impact extends beyond simple credential theft as administrators may unknowingly use the same passwords for other systems, creating additional attack surface.
The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate firmware updates from TOTOLINK to address the vulnerability, implementation of network segmentation to isolate critical devices, and deployment of network access control measures to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary web services and implementing proper firewall rules to restrict access to administrative ports. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure configuration management and regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices. Additionally, network administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability scans to identify similar exposed endpoints across their network infrastructure and ensure that all devices are running patched firmware versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.