CVE-2018-14080 in DIR-809 A1
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on D-Link DIR-809 A1 through 1.09, A2 through 1.11, and Guest Zone through 1.09 devices. One can bypass authentication mechanisms to download the configuration file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14080 affects D-Link DIR-809 wireless routers across multiple firmware versions including A1 through 1.09, A2 through 1.11, and Guest Zone through 1.09. This authentication bypass flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive configuration data without proper credentials. The issue stems from insufficient access controls within the device's web interface implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent the normal authentication process. Such vulnerabilities fall under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, which specifically addresses weaknesses in authentication mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to systems and data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the configuration file download functionality within the router's web management interface. Attackers can directly access configuration files containing sensitive information including administrative credentials, network settings, wireless passwords, and other system configurations without providing valid authentication credentials. This unauthenticated access represents a fundamental failure in the router's security architecture, where the system should enforce proper authentication before granting access to configuration data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation, allowing attackers to bypass the normal authentication flow through direct URL manipulation or API endpoint access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and network infiltration. When attackers gain access to the configuration file, they obtain administrative credentials that could be used to further compromise the device or use the information to launch attacks against other systems within the network. The configuration file typically contains wireless network keys, VPN settings, and other sensitive parameters that can be exploited to gain persistent access to the network. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers Valid Accounts and T1083 which covers File and Directory Discovery, as attackers can leverage this access to discover and exploit additional network resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14080 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. Network administrators must ensure all affected devices are updated to the latest firmware versions that contain proper authentication controls. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the impact of such vulnerabilities by restricting access to critical network resources. Regular security assessments should include verification of authentication mechanisms and configuration file access controls to prevent similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and maintain detailed logs of configuration file access for security auditing purposes. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper authentication implementation and access control design in network devices, emphasizing the need for security by design principles throughout the device lifecycle.