CVE-2018-14083 in miniCMTS E8K
Summary
by MITRE
LICA miniCMTS E8K(u/i/...) devices allow remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct POST request for the inc/user.ini file, leading to discovery of a password hash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2020
The CVE-2018-14083 vulnerability affects LICA miniCMTS E8K(u/i/...) devices, representing a critical information disclosure flaw that exposes sensitive authentication data. This vulnerability resides within the device's web interface implementation, where improper access controls allow remote attackers to directly request the inc/user.ini configuration file through a POST request mechanism. The affected devices operate within cable modem termination system environments, serving as critical infrastructure components for internet service providers and enterprise networks. The vulnerability specifically targets the authentication configuration file that contains password hash information, potentially compromising the security posture of the entire network infrastructure. This issue demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the device's authorization model where file access controls are bypassed through direct API endpoint manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the device's web server configuration that fails to properly validate incoming requests for sensitive configuration files. Attackers can simply construct a POST request targeting the inc/user.ini file path without requiring authentication credentials or proper authorization tokens. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and access control mechanisms within the device's web application framework, allowing arbitrary file access to configuration data that should remain protected. This flaw aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and CWE-264, which covers permissions, privileges, and access controls. The vulnerability exists in the device's software implementation where the web server does not properly enforce file access restrictions based on user roles or authentication status.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-14083 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed password hash provides attackers with a foothold for further exploitation attempts. Network administrators and security personnel face significant risk when such credentials are compromised, as they could enable unauthorized access to device management interfaces, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The vulnerability affects devices deployed in production environments where the miniCMTS E8K series serves as core infrastructure components for cable internet services. Organizations utilizing these devices may experience unauthorized access to their network management systems, potentially allowing attackers to modify device configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistent access points within their network infrastructure. This vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the affected systems, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK technique T1566 which involves credential harvesting through various attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-14083 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from LICA to address the underlying access control flaw in the web interface implementation. Network administrators must implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices to authorized personnel only, while also configuring firewalls to restrict external access to device management interfaces. The vulnerability can be partially mitigated through the implementation of network monitoring solutions that detect anomalous access patterns to configuration files, and through the deployment of intrusion detection systems that can identify direct file access attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices within their network infrastructure, as similar access control flaws may exist in other network equipment. Regular security audits of network infrastructure components should include checks for improper file access controls and weak authentication mechanisms. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for device management interfaces and maintaining detailed access logs can help detect unauthorized access attempts that may exploit similar vulnerabilities in the future.