CVE-2018-17591 in Air 5343v2
Summary
by MITRE
AirTies Air 5343v2 devices with software 1.0.0.18 have XSS via the top.html productboardtype parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2018-17591 represents a cross-site scripting flaw discovered in AirTies Air 5343v2 wireless routers running firmware version 1.0.0.18. This issue resides within the web interface of the device, specifically in the top.html file where the productboardtype parameter is processed without adequate input validation or output sanitization. The affected parameter is part of the device's web-based management interface, which allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the browser of users who access the router's administrative console. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is classified as a critical security weakness in web applications. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it enables remote code execution through browser-based attacks without requiring authentication or physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the device's web server fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input from the productboardtype parameter in the top.html file. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and injects it through this parameter, the device processes the input directly without proper encoding or validation mechanisms. This allows malicious scripts to be executed within the context of the user's browser session when the affected page is loaded. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to web application security. The specific nature of the flaw indicates that the device's web interface does not implement proper context-aware output encoding, which is a core requirement for preventing XSS attacks according to the OWASP Top Ten Project and the CWE guidelines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it creates a significant attack surface for malicious actors seeking to compromise network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially redirect users to malicious websites, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized administrative actions, or even gain full control over the device. The vulnerability affects the device's web management interface, which means that any user with access to the router's web console could become a victim of the attack. The impact is particularly severe because network administrators often use these interfaces for routine maintenance and configuration, making them prime targets for exploitation. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged for initial access and privilege escalation within the network environment. The attack could be executed through social engineering techniques where administrators are tricked into visiting a malicious website that exploits the vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17591 should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by AirTies, as the manufacturer would have released patches addressing the input validation issues in the web interface. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and establish strict access controls for router management. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the affected web interface parameters. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads targeting known XSS vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding practices, which should be enforced throughout the entire application development lifecycle according to industry standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure components are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by threat actors.