CVE-2024-6525 in DAR-7000
Summary
by MITRE • 07/05/2024
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability was found in D-Link DAR-7000 up to 20230922. It has been rated as problematic. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the file /log/decodmail.php. The manipulation of the argument file leads to deserialization. The attack may be launched remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-270368. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-6525 represents a critical deserialization flaw within the D-Link DAR-7000 router firmware version 20230922 and earlier. This issue resides in the /log/decodmail.php file, which processes file arguments through an insecure deserialization mechanism that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected device. The vulnerability has been classified as problematic due to its remote exploitability and the disclosure of public exploit code, making it accessible to malicious actors without specialized knowledge. The affected router model represents a network infrastructure device that serves as a gateway for network traffic, making the potential impact of this vulnerability significant for network security.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through manipulation of the file argument parameter within the decodmail.php script, which fails to properly validate or sanitize input before processing. This deserialization flaw enables attackers to inject malicious payloads that can be executed within the context of the web server running on the router. The vulnerability follows the common pattern described in CWE-502, which addresses unsafe deserialization in software systems, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be initiated remotely, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not have immediate visibility into unauthorized access attempts. The exploit's disclosure in public repositories further amplifies the risk, as it eliminates the need for sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain complete control over the affected router, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network. Network administrators face significant challenges in mitigating this vulnerability due to the end-of-life status of the affected firmware versions, which means no official security updates or patches are available from D-Link. The router's role as a network gateway makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish lateral movement within networks, as the compromised device can serve as a pivot point for accessing internal systems. This vulnerability also demonstrates the critical importance of firmware lifecycle management and the risks associated with operating unsupported network equipment.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement network segmentation strategies to isolate the impacted devices from critical network segments, while also considering the deployment of network monitoring tools to detect potential exploitation attempts. The recommended mitigation approach involves replacing the affected D-Link DAR-7000 routers with supported models that receive regular security updates, as the vulnerability exists in firmware that has reached end-of-life status. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious deserialization attempts and establish network access controls that limit the attack surface. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the risks associated with legacy network equipment and the importance of maintaining current firmware versions to protect against known security flaws. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could enable techniques such as T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566 for phishing, as attackers may use the compromised device to launch further network attacks. The lack of vendor support for this specific vulnerability makes proactive network defense measures essential, as reactive patching is not possible. Organizations should also review their network asset inventories to identify other unsupported devices that may be vulnerable to similar exploitation techniques.