CVE-2018-5304 in Speedway Connect R420 RFID Reader
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on the Impinj Speedway Connect R420 RFID Reader before 2.2.2. The affected web interface is vulnerable to ClickJacking or UI Redressing: it is possible to access the web application in an iframe, and clicking on the iframe will redirect to a third-party application or perform other malicious actions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2020
The CVE-2018-5304 vulnerability affects the Impinj Speedway Connect R420 RFID reader firmware versions prior to 2.2.2, presenting a critical security flaw in the device's web interface implementation. This vulnerability represents a classic clickjacking attack vector that exploits the lack of proper security headers and frame embedding controls within the reader's web application. The issue stems from the absence of the X-Frame-Options header and similar protective mechanisms that should prevent the web interface from being embedded within other web pages or frames, creating a dangerous attack surface for unauthorized users who can manipulate the user interface through maliciously crafted web content.
The technical flaw manifests through the web application's failure to implement adequate clickjacking protection measures, specifically the lack of security headers that would prevent the interface from being loaded within an iframe. When an attacker constructs a malicious webpage that embeds the RFID reader's web interface within a hidden or transparent iframe, users who interact with the malicious page may unknowingly perform actions on the RFID reader as if they were interacting with the legitimate interface. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-1021, which defines improper restriction of rendering of web content, and represents a fundamental breakdown in the web application's security posture. The attack can be executed through various methods including social engineering, where users are tricked into visiting malicious websites that contain the hidden iframe, or through more sophisticated attacks that leverage the compromised interface for unauthorized administrative actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations utilizing Impinj Speedway Connect R420 RFID readers in their asset tracking, inventory management, or access control systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the RFID reader's administrative functions, potentially leading to complete compromise of the device's configuration, data manipulation, or even denial of service conditions. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary actions to be performed on the device through the malicious iframe, including but not limited to changing device settings, accessing sensitive configuration data, or redirecting the device's operational parameters to unauthorized third-party applications. This represents a critical risk for environments where RFID readers are deployed for security-sensitive applications such as access control systems, inventory tracking in restricted facilities, or industrial asset management where unauthorized device manipulation could lead to significant operational disruptions or security breaches.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 2.2.2 or later, which addresses the clickjacking vulnerability through proper implementation of security headers and frame protection mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious iframe embedding attempts, implementing network segmentation to limit access to RFID reader interfaces, and establishing proper access controls that restrict administrative access to authorized personnel only. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, particularly in addressing web application security flaws that can be exploited through client-side attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect suspicious activities related to RFID reader access and ensure that proper security headers are consistently implemented across all web applications and interfaces to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other systems.