CVE-2023-5145 in DAR-7000
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2023
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability has been found in D-Link DAR-7000 up to 20151231 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file /sysmanage/licence.php. The manipulation of the argument file_upload leads to unrestricted upload. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-240241 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer. NOTE: Vendor was contacted early and confirmed immediately that the product is end-of-life. It should be retired and replaced.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5145 affects the D-Link DAR-7000 router model, specifically versions up to the firmware release dated December 31, 2015. This critical vulnerability resides within the system management functionality of the device, specifically targeting the /sysmanage/licence.php file which handles license management operations. The flaw represents a classic unrestricted file upload vulnerability that allows remote attackers to bypass normal file validation mechanisms and upload malicious files to the device's filesystem. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-434 which specifically addresses the improper restriction of uploads to a restricted directory, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1195.3 for content injection attacks targeting web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly elevated due to its remote accessibility, meaning attackers do not require physical access to the device to execute malicious code.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the file_upload argument within the licence.php file, which controls the file upload functionality. When an attacker submits a malicious file through this parameter without proper validation, the system accepts and processes the upload without restriction, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary code on the device. This creates a severe attack surface that could enable remote code execution, persistent backdoor installation, or complete device compromise. The unrestricted upload capability represents a fundamental flaw in the input validation and file handling mechanisms of the router's web interface, which should have implemented proper file type checking, size limitations, and secure storage practices for uploaded files. The vulnerability's classification as critical indicates that it provides attackers with significant control over the affected device's operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple remote code execution, as compromised routers can serve as persistent entry points for broader network attacks. Once an attacker gains control of the D-Link DAR-7000 device, they can potentially monitor network traffic, redirect DNS requests, modify firewall rules, or use the compromised device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the local network. The device's role as a network gateway makes it particularly valuable for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or conduct reconnaissance activities. Given that this vulnerability affects end-of-life hardware, organizations may have already migrated away from these devices, but legacy deployments could still pose significant risks. The vulnerability's public disclosure through identifier VDB-240241 indicates that exploitation techniques are readily available, reducing the barrier to successful attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must focus on immediate hardware retirement and replacement, as the device is no longer supported by the vendor. Organizations should conduct comprehensive network inventories to identify all remaining deployments of this router model and implement immediate network segmentation to isolate any surviving devices. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature as an unrestricted file upload issue suggests that implementing proper file validation, restricting upload directories to non-executable locations, and enforcing strict content type checks would have prevented the vulnerability. However, since the device is end-of-life, the most effective mitigation remains complete device replacement with supported models that receive regular security updates and patches. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish proper network access controls to limit exposure of any remaining legacy devices.