CVE-2022-44832 in DIR-3040
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2022
D-Link DIR-3040 device with firmware 120B03 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability via the SetTriggerLEDBlink function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/15/2022
The D-Link DIR-3040 router represents a significant cybersecurity vulnerability through CVE-2022-44832 which exposes a command injection flaw within its firmware version 120B03. This vulnerability specifically targets the SetTriggerLEDBlink function, a seemingly innocuous feature designed to control LED blinking patterns on the device. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands through improper input validation mechanisms, creating a critical security risk for network administrators and end users who rely on this networking equipment. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly passed to system commands without proper escaping or filtering, making it susceptible to exploitation by malicious actors who can manipulate the device's behavior through crafted inputs.
This command injection vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the router's firmware architecture where the SetTriggerLEDBlink function fails to properly validate or sanitize input parameters before executing system commands. The technical implementation lacks proper input sanitization measures, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary shell commands through the device's web interface or API endpoints. This flaw aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, specifically addressing command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data flows into command execution contexts. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based interfaces, API calls, or even through network protocols that interact with the device's management functions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers with minimal privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-44832 extends far beyond simple device misbehavior, presenting attackers with potential full system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation could enable remote code execution on the affected D-Link DIR-3040 devices, allowing threat actors to gain unauthorized access to the network infrastructure, escalate privileges, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. Network administrators face significant risks including unauthorized data access, man-in-the-middle attacks, and complete network compromise. The vulnerability's presence in firmware version 120B03 suggests a widespread exposure across affected deployments, particularly in enterprise and residential networks where these routers serve as primary gateway devices. This makes the impact particularly severe as attackers can leverage this vulnerability to create persistent access points within network environments, potentially enabling lateral movement and extended compromise of connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-44832 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the command injection vulnerability within the SetTriggerLEDBlink function. Organizations must implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while also monitoring for suspicious network activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed requests targeting the vulnerable function, and consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious inputs before they reach the affected components. Additionally, network administrators should disable unnecessary services and interfaces on affected devices, while maintaining detailed logging of all management access attempts. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and proper access controls to prevent unauthorized command execution. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with exploitation attempts, including unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized access to device management interfaces.