CVE-2018-8062 in AR-5387un
Summary
by MITRE • 10/23/2020
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability on Comtrend AR-5387un devices with A731-410JAZ-C04_R02.A2pD035g.d23i firmware allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the Service Description parameter while creating a WAN service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2022
The CVE-2018-8062 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in Comtrend AR-5387un wireless routers running specific firmware versions. This vulnerability resides within the device's web-based management interface and specifically targets the WAN service configuration functionality. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts against unsuspecting users who interact with the affected device's administrative panel, creating a significant security risk for network administrators and end users alike. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely deployed consumer-grade networking device that serves as a primary gateway for home and small office networks.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs through improper input validation and output encoding within the device's web interface. When administrators configure WAN services through the Service Description parameter field, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web page context. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the browser of any user who views the affected configuration page. The vulnerability is classified as a reflected XSS attack since the malicious payload is reflected back to the user's browser through the improperly handled input parameter. This flaw directly maps to CWE-79 which defines the common weakness of improper neutralization of input during web output, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1212 which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it can potentially enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, or redirect users to malicious websites. Network administrators who regularly access the device's management interface become prime targets for exploitation, as the malicious scripts can capture login information or modify network configurations. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network privileges to exploit it, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users might access the administrative interface. The affected firmware version A731-410JAZ-C04_R02.A2pD035g.d23i represents a specific release that contains this security flaw, indicating that the vulnerability was introduced in a particular software revision and may have been present in other similar firmware versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-8062 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Comtrend, as the vendor likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including restricting access to the device's administrative interface to trusted IP addresses only, implementing network segmentation to isolate management interfaces, and monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider deploying web application firewalls or intrusion detection systems that can detect and block malicious XSS payloads targeting the affected parameter. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure input validation practices in web applications and highlights the need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices that are frequently exposed to external networks. Organizations should also implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates for all network equipment, as this vulnerability demonstrates how easily attackers can exploit known flaws in widely deployed networking hardware.