CVE-2019-7163 in LINKZONE MW40-V-V1.0
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface of Alcatel LINKZONE MW40-V-V1.0 MW40_LU_02.00_02 devices is vulnerable to an authentication bypass that allows an unauthenticated user to have access to the web interface without knowing the administrator's password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7163 affects the web interface of Alcatel LINKZONE MW40-V-V1.0 MW40_LU_02.00_02 network devices, representing a critical authentication flaw that undermines the security posture of these wireless access points. This issue stems from a design weakness in the device's web authentication mechanism that fails to properly validate user credentials, creating an unauthorized access vector that bypasses the standard administrative password requirement. The vulnerability specifically impacts the device's web management interface, which serves as the primary means for configuring and managing network settings, making it a particularly concerning security weakness given the administrative privileges that would normally be required to access such functionality.
The technical implementation of this authentication bypass flaw appears to stem from improper session management or credential validation logic within the web interface component of these devices. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and potentially CWE-305 which deals with authentication bypass through multiple attempts or flawed authentication mechanisms. The flaw allows an attacker to gain administrative access to the device without providing valid credentials, effectively rendering the password protection mechanism ineffective. This type of vulnerability typically occurs when the system fails to properly implement authentication checks or when session tokens are not adequately validated, creating a path for unauthorized users to escalate privileges or directly access administrative functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7163 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with full administrative control over affected Alcatel LINKZONE devices. This level of access enables malicious actors to modify network configurations, implement rogue access points, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The implications are particularly severe for enterprise and organizational networks where these devices may serve as primary access points, as attackers could potentially compromise entire network segments or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting, as the bypass allows for unauthorized access that could be leveraged for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from network administrators, including prompt firmware updates from Alcatel to address the authentication flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise, disable unnecessary web management interfaces, and monitor network traffic for signs of unauthorized access attempts. The security community recommends following NIST SP 800-41 guidelines for network security, which emphasize the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing proper access controls. Additionally, network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous login patterns or unauthorized access attempts to the web interface, while regular security assessments should verify that the vulnerability has been properly remediated. Organizations using these devices should also consider implementing network access control measures and ensuring that administrative interfaces are only accessible from trusted network segments.