CVE-2018-17869 in H660GW
Summary
by MITRE
DASAN H660GW devices do not implement any CSRF protection mechanism.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2020
The DASAN H660GW device vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in network infrastructure equipment that lacks proper cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms. This vulnerability affects devices manufactured by DASAN, specifically the H660GW model, which operates within the realm of broadband access devices and potentially other network appliances. The absence of CSRF protection creates a fundamental security gap that can be exploited by malicious actors to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network infrastructure devices as they often possess elevated privileges and can affect entire network operations when compromised.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of anti-CSRF measures within the device's web interface and API endpoints. Cross-site request forgery occurs when an attacker tricks a user into executing unintended actions on a web application where they are authenticated. Without proper CSRF tokens, anti-clickjacking measures, or other protective mechanisms, the device becomes vulnerable to attacks where malicious actors can craft requests that appear legitimate to the device's authentication system. This vulnerability falls under CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. The device's web administration interface likely accepts requests without verifying their origin or ensuring they were initiated by the legitimate user through the intended interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to potentially severe network disruption and compromise. An attacker could exploit this weakness to modify network configurations, change user credentials, disable security features, or redirect network traffic without the knowledge of legitimate administrators. This could result in complete network compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption affecting multiple users connected to the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these devices typically serve as primary network access points for residential or small business users, making them attractive targets for both individual attackers and organized threat groups. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002, which covers data from information repositories, as compromised devices could provide access to network configuration data and user information.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of proper CSRF protection mechanisms within the device firmware. The most effective approach involves implementing anti-CSRF tokens that are generated per session and validated on each request, ensuring that requests originate from legitimate user interactions with the device's interface. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, access control lists, and monitoring for unusual configuration changes. Regular firmware updates and security audits should be conducted to address similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other device components. The device manufacturer should also implement proper input validation and request origin verification to prevent unauthorized modifications to device settings. Given the severity of this vulnerability, immediate patching or replacement of affected devices is strongly recommended to prevent exploitation by threat actors.