CVE-2023-25279 in DIR820LA1
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2023
OS Command injection vulnerability in D-Link DIR820LA1_FW105B03 allows attackers to escalate privileges to root via a crafted payload.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2023
The CVE-2023-25279 vulnerability represents a critical os command injection flaw within the D-Link DIR820LA1_FW105B03 router firmware that enables remote attackers to achieve unauthorized root privilege escalation. This vulnerability resides in the web administration interface of the device where input validation mechanisms fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before executing system commands. The flaw manifests when crafted payloads are submitted through specific parameters that ultimately get processed by the underlying operating system without adequate sanitization or escaping mechanisms.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains and can be categorized under CWE-77 and CWE-78 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing command injection vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The attack vector leverages the router's web interface where administrative functions are exposed to remote users, making it accessible over the network without requiring physical access or specialized equipment. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that the affected device is a consumer-grade router that typically operates in unsecured network environments where default credentials are often left unchanged, providing additional attack surface for exploitation.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe and far-reaching, as successful exploitation grants attackers complete control over the affected router. The root privilege escalation allows adversaries to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. This creates a significant risk for organizations and individuals who rely on these devices for network security, as the compromised router can become a pivot point for lateral movement within the network or serve as a launching pad for attacks against other connected systems. Network traffic interception, man-in-the-middle attacks, and denial of service conditions can all be achieved through manipulation of the router's core functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-25279 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from D-Link to address the underlying command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure from potentially compromised devices and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual network behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can help prevent malicious payloads from reaching the vulnerable components of the system. Additionally, network administrators should enforce strong authentication practices, disable unnecessary services, and regularly audit device configurations to reduce the attack surface. According to ATT&CK framework tactics, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers may use compromised routers to facilitate further network infiltration. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network devices, as many consumer-grade routers suffer from similar command injection vulnerabilities due to inadequate input validation mechanisms in their web interfaces.