CVE-2018-17587 in Air 5750
Summary
by MITRE
AirTies Air 5750 devices with software 1.0.0.18 have XSS via the top.html productboardtype parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/17/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17587 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in AirTies Air 5750 wireless routers running firmware version 1.0.0.18. This security weakness resides within the web interface of the device, specifically in how it processes the productboardtype parameter within the top.html file. The affected device operates as a network infrastructure component that manages wireless connectivity for home and small office environments, making it a critical target for attackers seeking to compromise network security. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content.
The technical exploitation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing script code within the productboardtype parameter of the top.html endpoint. When the vulnerable device processes this parameter without proper sanitization, the injected JavaScript code becomes part of the web page response and executes within the context of a user's browser session. This allows attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability is classified as a persistent XSS issue since the malicious input is stored and reflected in the device's web interface, making it particularly dangerous for long-term exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security and user privacy. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the device's administrative interface, potentially leading to complete network compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication to the device itself, as the vulnerability exists in the web interface that is accessible to anyone with network access. The impact extends beyond simple data theft since the attacker could modify device settings, install malware, or create backdoors for persistent access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to severe security consequences.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from AirTies to address the XSS flaw in the web interface. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar input validation issues in other network infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices such as input sanitization and output encoding as outlined in OWASP Top 10 security guidelines. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1212 Exploitation for Credential Access, highlighting the potential for credential theft and unauthorized access to network resources.