CVE-2023-52043 in COVR 1100 AC1200
Summary
by MITRE • 04/04/2024
An issue in D-Link COVR 1100, 1102, 1103 AC1200 Dual-Band Whole-Home Mesh Wi-Fi System (Hardware Rev B1) truncates Wireless Access Point Passwords (WPA-PSK) allowing an attacker to gain unauthorized network access via weak authentication controls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52043 affects D-Link COVR series mesh Wi-Fi systems with hardware revision B1, specifically models COVR 1100, 1102, and 1103 supporting AC1200 dual-band wireless capabilities. This security flaw represents a critical weakness in the wireless network authentication mechanism that directly impacts the integrity of wireless access point password protection. The issue manifests through a password truncation mechanism that compromises the security of WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key) implementations, creating a significant attack surface for unauthorized network access. The vulnerability resides within the firmware implementation of these consumer-grade mesh networking devices, where the system fails to properly validate or handle password lengths exceeding predetermined limits.
The technical flaw involves a buffer truncation or string handling error that occurs during the wireless password processing within the device's management interface or configuration system. When administrators configure wireless passwords through the web-based management portal or mobile applications, the system truncates passwords at specific character limits without proper validation or user notification. This truncation behavior effectively reduces the entropy and complexity of wireless passwords, particularly impacting longer passwords that exceed the system's internal buffer capacity. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 (Heap-based Buffer Overflow) and CWE-126 (Buffer Over-read) categories, where improper buffer handling leads to authentication bypass opportunities. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting passwords that, when truncated, match or fall within the range of commonly used or easily guessable password combinations, effectively reducing the security of the wireless network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass to encompass potential network compromise and data exposure risks. An attacker with local network access or the ability to perform man-in-the-middle attacks can exploit the truncated password mechanism to gain unauthorized access to the mesh network infrastructure. This compromise allows for full network control including access to connected IoT devices, personal computers, and potentially sensitive data flowing through the wireless network. The vulnerability particularly affects home and small office environments where these mesh systems are commonly deployed, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by adversaries with minimal technical expertise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1110 (Brute Force) and T1071.003 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) where attackers can leverage weakened authentication to establish persistent network presence and potentially escalate privileges within the local network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-52043 require immediate action from network administrators to address the password truncation vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves applying firmware updates from D-Link as soon as available, though administrators should verify that the update specifically addresses this vulnerability and does not introduce additional security concerns. Network segmentation and additional authentication layers such as VLAN isolation should be implemented to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Administrators should also enforce minimum password complexity requirements and ensure that all wireless passwords exceed the system's truncation limits when properly configured. Regular security audits of network infrastructure should include verification of device firmware versions and configuration settings to prevent recurrence of similar issues. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and buffer handling in embedded network devices, emphasizing that consumer-grade networking equipment often lacks the security rigor found in enterprise-grade solutions, making regular firmware updates and security assessments critical for maintaining network integrity and protecting against credential-based attacks.