CVE-2018-16605 in DIR-600M
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DIR-600M devices allow XSS via the Hostname and Username fields in the Dynamic DNS Configuration page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The CVE-2018-16605 vulnerability affects D-Link DIR-600M wireless routers and represents a cross-site scripting flaw in the device's web-based management interface. This vulnerability specifically targets the Dynamic DNS Configuration page where users can input hostname and username values. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the router's web server component, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code through these input fields. The vulnerability resides in the router's user interface handling of dynamic DNS settings, where user-provided data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser, creating a classic XSS attack vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting patterns where the web application fails to validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated HTML content. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious payloads in the Hostname or Username fields that, when processed by the router's web interface, execute in the context of other users who view the affected configuration page. This creates a persistent XSS scenario where the malicious script executes in the victim's browser session with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the network perimeter. An attacker who successfully injects malicious JavaScript code could potentially access the router's administrative interface, modify network settings, or redirect traffic through the compromised device. This vulnerability particularly affects users who access the router's management interface from untrusted networks or devices, as the attack can be executed through a simple web browser interaction. The persistent nature of the vulnerability means that once a malicious payload is injected, it remains active until the router is rebooted or the configuration is manually cleared, creating ongoing exposure for network administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16605 should focus on immediate patching of the affected D-Link DIR-600M firmware, as the vendor has released updates addressing the input validation issues. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to router management interfaces to trusted networks only, while also enforcing strong access controls through the use of complex passwords and disabling unnecessary administrative services. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor for suspicious input patterns and conducting regular security audits of network devices to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider disabling dynamic DNS functionality entirely if it is not required, as this reduces the attack surface and eliminates the specific input vectors that enable this particular XSS exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script injection and T1566 for social engineering through malicious web content, making it a significant concern for enterprise security postures.