CVE-2020-20183 in P1302-T10 v3
Summary
by MITRE • 12/15/2020
Insecure direct object reference vulnerability in Zyxel’s P1302-T10 v3 with firmware version 2.00(ABBX.3) and earlier allows attackers to gain privileges and access certain admin pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2020
The insecure direct object reference vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-20183 affects Zyxel P1302-T10 v3 routers running firmware versions 2.00(ABBX.3) and earlier. This vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the router's authentication and authorization mechanisms, allowing unauthorized attackers to bypass normal access controls and gain administrative privileges. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of user input within the web interface, specifically in how the system handles object references that should be protected. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-639 as Insecure Direct Object Reference, which occurs when an application provides direct access to objects based on user-supplied input without proper authorization checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate URL parameters or form inputs that reference administrative resources within the router's web interface. When an attacker accesses certain admin pages or performs privileged operations, the system fails to verify whether the authenticated user has proper authorization to access those specific resources. This misconfiguration enables attackers to construct malicious requests that directly reference administrative functions, effectively bypassing the normal authentication flow. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application layer, where the router's web interface handles user requests and processes administrative commands.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to network security and can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker with access to the router's web interface can gain full administrative control over the device, potentially leading to unauthorized network configuration changes, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond the individual device to affect the entire network infrastructure, as compromised routers often serve as entry points for broader network infiltration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1071.005 which covers "Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols" as attackers leverage web interface vulnerabilities to escalate their privileges.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve firmware updates from Zyxel, which would address the underlying authentication bypass mechanism. Network administrators should immediately implement firmware upgrades to versions that contain proper input validation and authorization checks. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact if a device is compromised. The solution should include regular security audits of network devices, proper network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts, and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and firewall rules that restrict access to administrative interfaces to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface for such vulnerabilities.