CVE-2018-17337 in NPLUG
Summary
by MITRE
Intelbras NPLUG 1.0.0.14 devices have XSS via a crafted SSID that is received via a network broadcast.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17337 affects Intelbras NPLUG 1.0.0.14 network devices, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that arises from improper input validation of wireless network identifiers. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the device receives a crafted SSID through network broadcast mechanisms, allowing malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the device's web interface. The flaw resides in the device's failure to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied SSID values before rendering them in web pages, creating an avenue for attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the device's web interface. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a critical web application security weakness that enables attackers to manipulate web applications and potentially compromise user sessions or execute unauthorized commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate the device's web-based management interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain unauthorized access to the device configuration, modify network settings, or even redirect users to malicious websites. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages network broadcast mechanisms, meaning that an attacker does not need to be physically present or have direct access to the device to exploit this flaw. The vulnerability affects the device's wireless configuration interface where SSID values are displayed and processed, creating a persistent threat that remains active as long as the device continues to receive and process network broadcasts.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212, which focuses on exploitation for credential access through web application vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how seemingly benign network broadcast traffic can become a vector for sophisticated attacks. The device's failure to implement proper input sanitization creates a persistent security gap that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, particularly when combined with the fact that SSID broadcasts are typically unencrypted and easily accessible to nearby wireless devices. Network administrators should recognize that this vulnerability represents a significant risk in environments where wireless networks are managed through web interfaces, as it could enable attackers to establish persistent access points or modify network configurations to redirect traffic through malicious intermediaries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from Intelbras to address the XSS implementation flaw, along with network segmentation to limit the exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. Network administrators should implement proper monitoring of wireless network broadcasts to detect potentially malicious SSID values and consider disabling unnecessary broadcast functionality where possible. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can help prevent exploitation even if the underlying vulnerability persists. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly in embedded systems where security updates may be infrequent or unavailable. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control measures to prevent unauthorized devices from broadcasting malicious SSID values within their wireless environments, as this represents a fundamental weakness in the device's security architecture that requires both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements.