CVE-2018-6530 in DIR-860L
Summary
by MITRE
OS command injection vulnerability in soap.cgi (soapcgi_main in cgibin) in D-Link DIR-880L DIR-880L_REVA_FIRMWARE_PATCH_1.08B04 and previous versions, DIR-868L DIR868LA1_FW112b04 and previous versions, DIR-65L DIR-865L_REVA_FIRMWARE_PATCH_1.08.B01 and previous versions, and DIR-860L DIR860LA1_FW110b04 and previous versions allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via the service parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical operating system command injection flaw in the D-Link DIR series routers, specifically affecting multiple models including DIR-880L, DIR-868L, DIR-65L, DIR-865L, and DIR-860L. The issue resides in the soap.cgi component within the cgi-bin directory, where the soapcgi_main function fails to properly sanitize user input. The vulnerability manifests when the service parameter is manipulated by remote attackers, allowing them to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected devices. This represents a severe security weakness that fundamentally compromises the device's integrity and can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the web application interface of the router's firmware. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious requests that include shell metacharacters and command sequences in the service parameter, which are then directly passed to the operating system without adequate filtering. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77, known as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')", which is a well-documented weakness in software security. The flaw exists at the application layer where user-controllable data enters the system and is subsequently processed by the operating system, creating a direct pathway for malicious command execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the router's underlying operating system. Successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects multiple D-Link router models across different firmware versions, indicating a widespread issue within the vendor's product line. Network administrators face significant risks including potential data breaches, man-in-the-middle attacks, and loss of network control, as the compromised router can serve as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the devices, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise and home network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the command injection flaw, along with network segmentation to limit potential attack vectors. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unusual command execution patterns and consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation practices and secure coding standards, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints may lead to insufficient security controls. From a defensive perspective, implementing web application firewalls and network access controls can provide additional layers of protection, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar injection vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure components. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for robust security testing and validation of firmware components in IoT and networking devices, as the consequences of such flaws can extend far beyond individual device compromise into broader network security implications.