CVE-2020-13787 in DIR-865L Ax
Summary
by MITRE
D-Link DIR-865L Ax 1.20B01 Beta devices have Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2020
The D-Link DIR-865L Ax 1.20B01 Beta device suffers from a critical security flaw that exposes sensitive information through cleartext transmission mechanisms. This vulnerability affects the wireless router's communication protocols and represents a fundamental failure in secure data handling practices. The device transmits authentication credentials, configuration parameters, and other sensitive network information without proper encryption, making it susceptible to interception by malicious actors on the same network segment.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-312, which specifically addresses cleartext storage and transmission of sensitive information. The flaw demonstrates a failure in implementing proper cryptographic protections during network communications, particularly affecting the device's web management interface and wireless configuration processes. The cleartext transmission exposes users to various attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, packet sniffing, and network monitoring activities that can capture and decode sensitive data flowing through the device's network interfaces.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential exposure, as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the device's administrative functions. An attacker with access to the local network can intercept and decode network traffic to retrieve usernames, passwords, and configuration settings that would otherwise remain protected. This compromise enables full administrative control over the router, potentially allowing attackers to modify network settings, redirect traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which focuses on application layer protocol usage for command and control communications. The cleartext transmission creates opportunities for attackers to harvest credentials and use them for lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which addresses social engineering through credential harvesting, as attackers can exploit this flaw to obtain valid authentication information without requiring additional exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate implementation of network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the vulnerable device. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying and alerting on cleartext traffic patterns. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to firmware versions that implement proper encryption protocols including HTTPS for web management interfaces and WPA3 for wireless communications. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and prevent cleartext transmission of sensitive information provides an additional layer of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify other devices that may be vulnerable to similar cleartext transmission issues and ensure all network equipment adheres to current security standards and best practices.