CVE-2022-28915 in DIR-816 A2
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2022
D-Link DIR-816 A2_v1.10CNB04 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability via the admuser and admpass parameters in /goform/setSysAdm.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-28915 affects D-Link DIR-816 A2 routers running firmware version 1.10CNB04 and potentially other variants within the same product line. This command injection flaw exists within the web-based administration interface of the device, specifically in the /goform/setSysAdm endpoint which handles administrative user account management parameters. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data within the router's web server implementation, creating a critical security risk that could allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device with administrative privileges.
The technical flaw manifests when the router processes the admuser and admpass parameters through the setSysAdm form handler without proper sanitization of special characters or command sequences. This allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed within the context of the router's operating system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws, where user-controllable data is interpreted and executed as system commands. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain full administrative control over the router, potentially leading to complete network compromise through the device serving as a pivot point for further attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not be aware of the compromised device. Once exploited, attackers can modify router configuration settings, redirect network traffic, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which addresses exploit for privilege escalation. This allows adversaries to move laterally within networks and maintain persistent access, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the command injection vulnerability, as well as network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor for unusual network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The router's web interface should be restricted to trusted IP addresses only, and administrative access should be limited to secure protocols such as SSH instead of the vulnerable web interface. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices, and organizations should maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to quickly respond to emerging threats. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded network devices, particularly those with web-based management interfaces that are accessible from untrusted networks.