CVE-2022-35401 in RT-AX82U
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2023
An authentication bypass vulnerability exists in the get_IFTTTTtoken.cgi functionality of Asus RT-AX82U 3.0.0.4.386_49674-ge182230. A specially-crafted HTTP request can lead to full administrative access to the device. An attacker would need to send a series of HTTP requests to exploit this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2022-35401 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the Asus RT-AX82U router firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_49674-ge182230, specifically within the get_IFTTTTtoken.cgi component. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and authentication checks that allow unauthenticated attackers to escalate privileges and gain full administrative control over the affected device. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation without requiring any prior credentials or authentication, making it a severe threat to network security infrastructure. The flaw resides in the device's web interface handling mechanism where the IFTTT token functionality fails to properly verify user credentials before granting access to administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a weakness in the authentication flow where the get_IFTTTTtoken.cgi script does not adequately validate the authenticity of incoming HTTP requests. Attackers can construct specific HTTP request sequences that bypass the normal authentication mechanisms by exploiting improper session handling and token validation logic. This allows malicious actors to inject crafted parameters that trick the router into treating unauthorized requests as legitimate administrative commands. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly authenticate requests before processing sensitive administrative operations, creating a path for privilege escalation through carefully crafted network traffic. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-287 which deals with improper authentication issues, specifically focusing on the lack of proper authentication checks in the authentication process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected router's administrative functions. Once exploited, attackers can modify network configurations, change administrator passwords, disable security features, and potentially establish persistent backdoors for continued access. The vulnerability affects the device's core network security functions, including firewall settings, DNS configurations, and wireless network parameters, making it a significant threat to enterprise and home network security. Network administrators face the risk of complete network compromise, as the router serves as a central point of control for network traffic and security policies. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, as it allows adversaries to gain administrative access without needing legitimate credentials.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-35401 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Asus to address the authentication bypass flaw. Network administrators should implement additional security measures including disabling unnecessary services, restricting access to the router's administrative interface, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns. The implementation of network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the attack surface and prevent lateral movement if the vulnerability is exploited. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network devices, as this type of authentication bypass vulnerability is often present in embedded systems and network appliances. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for the specific HTTP request patterns associated with this exploit, and establish incident response procedures to quickly address potential compromises. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper authentication design principles and the need for thorough security testing of network device firmware before deployment in production environments.