CVE-2018-17593 in Air 5453
Summary
by MITRE
AirTies Air 5453 devices with software 1.0.0.18 have XSS via the top.html productboardtype parameter.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The AirTies Air 5453 wireless router device represents a significant security vulnerability through a cross-site scripting flaw in its web interface. This vulnerability manifests within the top.html page where the productboardtype parameter is improperly handled, creating an entry point for malicious actors to execute unauthorized scripts against authenticated users. The affected software version 1.0.0.18 demonstrates a clear failure in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that are fundamental to web application security. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, where user-supplied data is not properly escaped or validated before being rendered in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the productboardtype parameter of the top.html endpoint. When an authenticated user navigates to this crafted page, the malicious script executes within the user's browser context, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform actions on behalf of the user, or redirect them to malicious sites. The attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the user and the legitimate web application, making it particularly dangerous as users are often unaware of the malicious activity occurring within their browser sessions. This vulnerability specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers spearphishing attacks through malicious web content, and T1059 which encompasses command and scripting interpreters used for code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including session hijacking, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the router's administrative interface. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to the device's configuration settings, network credentials, and potentially compromise the entire local network. The vulnerability affects the device's authentication model and trust assumptions, as it allows unauthorized code execution in the context of authenticated sessions. Organizations using these devices face significant risk of unauthorized access to their network infrastructure, particularly in environments where the router serves as a gateway to sensitive systems or where administrative credentials are not properly protected.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding measures within the affected web application. The device firmware must be updated to properly sanitize all user-supplied input parameters including the productboardtype parameter in the top.html page. Network administrators should implement web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests containing script payloads, while also ensuring that users employ strong authentication practices and regularly update their device firmware. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security principles, and represents a clear example of how insufficient sanitization of user input can lead to severe security consequences.