CVE-2020-10971 in WL-WN579G3
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Wavlink WL-WN579G3 M79X3.V5030.180719, WL-WN575A3 RPT75A3.V4300.180801, and WL-WN530HG4 M30HG4.V5030.191116 devices. A crafted POST request can be sent to adm.cgi that will result in the execution of the supplied command if there is an active session at the same time. The POST request itself is not validated to ensure it came from the active session.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2020
This vulnerability exists in Wavlink wireless routers and access points including models WL-WN579G3, WL-WN575A3, and WL-WN530HG4 where improper session validation allows for arbitrary command execution. The flaw resides in the adm.cgi management interface which fails to properly authenticate incoming POST requests, creating a critical security gap that enables attackers to execute malicious commands without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically affects devices running firmware versions M79X3.V5030.180719, RPT75A3.V4300.180801, and M30HG4.V5030.191116, representing a significant risk to network security for users of these devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a lack of session validation mechanisms within the administrative web interface. When a legitimate user establishes an active session with the device, the system should maintain strict validation of all subsequent requests to ensure they originate from the authenticated session. However, the adm.cgi endpoint accepts POST requests without verifying that they come from the legitimate session, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that bypass authentication checks. This represents a classic session management flaw that directly maps to CWE-306, which addresses missing authentication for critical functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over affected devices. Once exploited, an attacker can execute arbitrary commands on the router, potentially leading to full network compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no prior authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can send a crafted POST request to the affected devices. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters, as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute system commands directly on the affected hardware.
The attack vector for this vulnerability involves sending a specially crafted POST request to the adm.cgi endpoint while an active session exists on the device. This type of attack falls under the category of cross-site request forgery or session hijacking attacks, where the attacker exploits the lack of proper session validation to perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability essentially creates an authenticated command execution path that bypasses normal security controls, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not realize their devices are compromised. Network defenders should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and session management in web applications, particularly in embedded systems and network devices where security is often overlooked.