CVE-2019-16190 in DIR-868L REVB
Summary
by MITRE
SharePort Web Access on D-Link DIR-868L REVB through 2.03, DIR-885L REVA through 1.20, and DIR-895L REVA through 1.21 devices allows Authentication Bypass, as demonstrated by a direct request to folder_view.php or category_view.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/18/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-16190 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting multiple D-Link router models including DIR-868L REVB, DIR-885L REVA, and DIR-895L REVA. This vulnerability resides within the SharePort Web Access component of these network devices, which provides web-based file sharing capabilities for users within local networks. The flaw allows unauthorized access to sensitive administrative functions and file directories without proper authentication credentials, fundamentally undermining the security model of these consumer-grade networking devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control implementation within the web interface of affected D-Link routers. Specifically, the authentication mechanism fails to properly validate user credentials when accessing the folder_view.php and category_view.php scripts. This weakness enables attackers to bypass the standard login process and gain direct access to shared folders and administrative interfaces. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and access control checks that should be implemented to protect web applications from unauthorized access attempts.
From an operational perspective, this authentication bypass vulnerability poses significant risks to network security and data integrity. An attacker who can exploit this flaw gains access to all shared files and potentially administrative controls of the affected routers. This could enable unauthorized file access, data exfiltration, or even further network compromise through the router's administrative interface. The impact extends beyond simple file access as the vulnerability may allow attackers to modify router configurations, install malicious firmware, or establish persistent access points within the network. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where these devices may be deployed without proper security hardening.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software applications, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering through credential access. Network administrators should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from D-Link, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web services, implementing strong network access controls, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure. The affected devices should be taken offline until proper security patches are applied, as the vulnerability provides attackers with complete administrative access to the affected systems.