CVE-2018-17588 in Air 5021
Summary
by MITRE
AirTies Air 5021 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 identified as CVE-2018-17588 affects AirTies Air 5021 wireless routers running firmware version 1.0.0.18, representing a cross-site scripting weakness that could enable attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected device's web interface. This particular vulnerability manifests through the top.html productboardtype parameter, which fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before incorporating it into the web response. The flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored or reflected XSS vulnerability depending on how the parameter is processed within the application's request handling logic.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows an attacker to inject malicious JavaScript code through the productboardtype parameter in the top.html endpoint, potentially enabling unauthorized access to the device's administrative interface or manipulation of the device's configuration settings. When a user visits a maliciously crafted URL containing the XSS payload, the device's web interface executes the injected script within the context of the authenticated session, providing attackers with the ability to perform actions such as viewing sensitive information, modifying device settings, or even redirecting users to malicious sites. This vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate output encoding mechanisms within the web application layer of the AirTies device firmware.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it could potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access to the wireless router, compromising the entire network infrastructure that relies on the device for connectivity and security policies. Network administrators who access the device's web interface regularly could unknowingly execute malicious payloads, leading to complete compromise of the network perimeter. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers could leverage the XSS to execute arbitrary commands through the web interface. Additionally, this weakness could facilitate further attacks such as credential theft, session hijacking, or even lateral movement within the network, as the compromised device serves as a gateway to internal resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17588 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the device's web application layer. The firmware should sanitize all user-supplied input parameters, particularly those used in dynamic content generation, to prevent malicious code injection. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit direct administrative access to network devices, while regular firmware updates and security patches should be applied promptly. The device should also implement Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution and employ proper parameter validation techniques to ensure that only expected input values are accepted. Organizations should consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with XSS attacks, while also ensuring that administrative interfaces are not directly accessible from untrusted networks to minimize the attack surface.