CVE-2018-17023 in GT-AC5300
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability on ASUS GT-AC5300 routers with firmware through 3.0.0.4.384_32738 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that change the administrator password via a request to start_apply.htm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2020
The CVE-2018-17023 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in ASUS GT-AC5300 wireless routers running firmware versions up to 3.0.0.4.384_32738. This vulnerability resides within the web-based administrative interface of the router and exposes administrators to remote exploitation. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the authentication state of legitimate administrators without their knowledge or consent, effectively enabling unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability specifically targets the password change functionality through a direct request to the start_apply.htm endpoint, which serves as a critical attack vector for compromising router administration privileges. The CSRF mechanism fails to properly validate the origin of requests, making it possible for malicious actors to craft specially crafted web pages or links that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, automatically execute administrative commands.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental failure in implementing proper request validation mechanisms, particularly the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or similar protective measures within the router's web interface. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the affected routers are consumer-grade devices with widespread deployment in both home and small office environments, where they often serve as the primary gateway for network connectivity. The exploitation requires minimal technical expertise as attackers can leverage social engineering techniques to convince administrators to visit malicious websites or click on compromised links that contain embedded CSRF attack payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password compromise, as it provides attackers with full administrative control over the affected routers. This level of access enables threat actors to modify network configurations, implement malicious routing rules, disable security features, and potentially establish persistent backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the router operates with vulnerable firmware, making it particularly dangerous for long-term network compromise. Network administrators who are unaware of the vulnerability may inadvertently expose their networks to sophisticated attacks that could lead to complete network takeover, data exfiltration, or the establishment of botnet command and control infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17023 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from ASUS to address the identified CSRF vulnerability. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized configuration changes and establish regular firmware update schedules to maintain device security. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust web application security controls including proper CSRF token implementation, origin validation, and request integrity checks. Security practitioners should also consider network segmentation and access control measures to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in network infrastructure devices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 for Application Layer Protocol: DNS and T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, demonstrating how such vulnerabilities can enable broader attack chains. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the necessity of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those handling administrative functions within network infrastructure devices.