CVE-2024-28016 in WG1800HP4
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
Improper Access Controlvulnerability in NEC Corporation Aterm WG1800HP4, WG1200HS3, WG1900HP2, WG1200HP3, WG1800HP3, WG1200HS2, WG1900HP, WG1200HP2, W1200EX(-MS), WG1200HS, WG1200HP, WF300HP2, W300P, WF800HP, WR8165N, WG2200HP, WF1200HP2, WG1800HP2, WF1200HP, WG600HP, WG300HP, WF300HP, WG1800HP, WG1400HP, WR8175N, WR9300N, WR8750N, WR8160N, WR9500N, WR8600N, WR8370N, WR8170N, WR8700N, WR8300N, WR8150N, WR4100N, WR4500N, WR8100N, WR8500N, CR2500P, WR8400N, WR8200N, WR1200H, WR7870S, WR6670S, WR7850S, WR6650S, WR6600H, WR7800H, WM3400RN, WM3450RN, WM3500R, WM3600R, WM3800R, WR8166N, MR01LN and MR02LN all versions allows a attacker to get device informations via the internet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The CVE-2024-28016 vulnerability represents a critical improper access control flaw affecting multiple NEC Corporation wireless gateway and router models including the Aterm WG1800HP4, WG1200HS3, and numerous other variants across various product lines. This vulnerability stems from inadequate authentication mechanisms and weak authorization controls within the device's web interface and management protocols, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive device information without proper credentials. The flaw exists at the application layer and affects the device's HTTP server implementation, where administrative functions and system information are exposed through improperly secured API endpoints and web pages. The vulnerability manifests when devices are configured to allow remote management or when default configurations remain unchanged, creating a persistent attack surface that can be exploited from any internet-connected location.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the lack of proper access controls to enumerate device configurations, firmware versions, network settings, and potentially sensitive system information such as MAC addresses, IP configurations, and administrative credentials stored in accessible memory segments. Attackers can systematically probe the affected devices through standard HTTP requests to access restricted interfaces, bypassing the intended authentication mechanisms that should prevent unauthorized access to administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically affects devices that expose web-based management interfaces over the internet, making them susceptible to reconnaissance and information gathering activities that can lead to further exploitation. This flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization in access control systems, and represents a classic case of insufficient authentication controls that allow unauthorized access to privileged information.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28016 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked device information can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks within the network infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability gains knowledge of the device's configuration, which can be used to identify potential weaknesses in network topology, locate other vulnerable devices, and plan subsequent attacks targeting specific network segments. The exposure of device information may also enable attackers to perform targeted attacks against known firmware versions that may contain additional vulnerabilities, creating a cascading effect that compromises the entire network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects enterprise and residential networks where these devices are deployed without proper network segmentation or firewall rules, allowing attackers to pivot from the compromised device to other systems within the local network. The attack surface is amplified by the fact that many of these devices are deployed in environments where they are accessible from the internet without proper security controls, making them attractive targets for automated scanning and exploitation campaigns.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including disabling remote management interfaces when not required, applying firmware updates from NEC Corporation as they become available, and implementing network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments. Network administrators should configure firewalls to block access to device management interfaces from external networks and ensure that default administrative credentials are changed immediately upon device deployment. The implementation of network access control lists and intrusion detection systems can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts targeting these specific devices. Additionally, regular vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining devices that may be affected by similar access control flaws, and security awareness training should be provided to administrators to prevent the deployment of devices with default configurations that expose management interfaces to the internet. The remediation efforts should also include monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts and implementing proper network hygiene practices to prevent unauthorized access to these critical network infrastructure components.