CVE-2018-7362 in ZXHN F670
Summary
by MITRE
All versions up to V1.1.10P3T18 of ZTE ZXHN F670 product are impacted by improper access control vulnerability, which may allows an unauthorized user to perform unauthorized operations on the router.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2023
The CVE-2018-7362 vulnerability affects ZTE ZXHN F670 routers running firmware versions up to V1.1.10P3T18, representing a critical improper access control flaw that undermines the device's security posture. This vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms and weak session management within the router's web interface and administrative protocols. The flaw allows malicious actors to bypass legitimate access controls and gain unauthorized administrative privileges, effectively compromising the entire network infrastructure under the router's management. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely deployed consumer-grade router model that serves as a primary gateway for residential and small office networks, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent network access.
The technical implementation of this access control failure manifests through multiple attack vectors including but not limited to session hijacking, credential stuffing, and authentication bypass techniques. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the device, modify network configurations, intercept traffic, and potentially establish backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it enables attackers to manipulate the router's core functionalities including firewall rules, DNS settings, port forwarding configurations, and user account management. This represents a fundamental breakdown in the router's security architecture, as the device fails to properly validate user credentials and maintain secure session states, creating persistent entry points for malicious activity.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for network security and data integrity. The compromised router becomes a potential pivot point for attackers to move laterally within the network, potentially accessing connected devices, internal servers, and sensitive data stores. Network administrators face the challenge of detecting unauthorized modifications to router configurations, as the attacker can often mask their activities by maintaining legitimate-looking network traffic patterns. The vulnerability also poses risks to compliance requirements, as unauthorized access to network infrastructure can violate regulatory standards such as pci dss, hipaa, and soc 2, particularly in environments where strict access controls and audit trails are mandated. The persistence of this vulnerability across multiple firmware versions indicates a systemic issue in the device's security design rather than a simple patchable flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7362 should include immediate firmware updates from ZTE to address the identified access control weaknesses, though administrators must verify that the updated firmware properly resolves the vulnerability without introducing new issues. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit the potential impact of a compromised device, while regular monitoring of router configurations and network traffic can help detect unauthorized changes. The implementation of multi-factor authentication mechanisms, even at the router level, can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also consider network access control solutions and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation and lateral movement, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security measures beyond simple patching.