CVE-2018-8772 in RT3052
Summary
by MITRE
Coship RT3052 4.0.0.48 devices allow XSS via a crafted SSID field on the "Wireless Setting - Basic" screen.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-8772 affects Coship RT3052 firmware version 4.0.0.48 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw that specifically targets the wireless settings interface of the device. This issue manifests when a malicious actor crafts a specially formatted SSID field value that, when processed by the device's web interface, executes unintended JavaScript code within the context of a victim's browser session. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it exists within the fundamental wireless configuration screen that administrators routinely access to manage network settings, making it a prime target for exploitation in man-in-the-middle scenarios or when users inadvertently interact with maliciously crafted network configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the web application interface of the Coship RT3052 device. When users enter or modify SSID values through the "Wireless Setting - Basic" screen, the device fails to properly sanitize the input before rendering it back to the browser. This allows attackers to inject malicious script payloads that can execute in the context of authenticated users who visit the wireless settings page. The vulnerability classifies under CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a classic example of reflected XSS where the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the device's web interface without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to hijack administrator sessions, steal sensitive network credentials, or perform unauthorized configuration changes. Given that this vulnerability affects wireless access points, successful exploitation could lead to complete network compromise, allowing attackers to establish persistent access points, redirect traffic, or manipulate wireless settings to create backdoors. The attack surface is particularly broad since administrators regularly access these settings pages, and the vulnerability does not require authentication to the device itself to be exploited. This makes it highly attractive to threat actors who might use social engineering tactics to convince administrators to connect to malicious networks, or who might exploit this vulnerability in environments where the device is exposed to untrusted networks.
Security practitioners should implement multiple layers of mitigation for this vulnerability, beginning with immediate firmware updates from Coship if available, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific XSS flaw. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads before they reach the device interface, and establish strict input validation policies for all wireless configuration parameters. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 which covers scripting through web shells, and T1566 which covers credential access through spearphishing. Organizations should also conduct regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to identify similar input validation flaws, particularly in web interfaces that handle user-supplied data. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual wireless configuration changes can help detect exploitation attempts and limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in production environments.