CVE-2024-7829 in DNS-120
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2024
** UNSUPPORTED WHEN ASSIGNED ** A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in D-Link DNS-120, DNR-202L, DNS-315L, DNS-320, DNS-320L, DNS-320LW, DNS-321, DNR-322L, DNS-323, DNS-325, DNS-326, DNS-327L, DNR-326, DNS-340L, DNS-343, DNS-345, DNS-726-4, DNS-1100-4, DNS-1200-05 and DNS-1550-04 up to 20240814. This issue affects the function cgi_del_photo of the file /cgi-bin/photocenter_mgr.cgi. The manipulation of the argument current_path leads to buffer overflow. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. NOTE: This vulnerability only affects products that are no longer supported by the maintainer. NOTE: Vendor was contacted early and confirmed that the product is end-of-life. It should be retired and replaced.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2024
This critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7829 represents a buffer overflow flaw in multiple D-Link network storage devices including models such as DNS-120, DNR-202L, and various DNS-3xx series units. The vulnerability resides within the cgi_del_photo function of the /cgi-bin/photocenter_mgr.cgi file, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate the current_path argument. This flaw falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of unsafe string handling in embedded web applications. The exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through remote network access, making it particularly dangerous as it does not require physical presence or local network access to execute attacks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services and T1190 - Exploitation of Remote Services, as it enables remote code execution through web interface manipulation.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking when processing the current_path parameter within the photcenter_mgr.cgi script. When an attacker submits a malformed current_path argument, the application fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size buffer, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in network-attached storage devices as it provides attackers with direct access to the device's file system and potentially the underlying network. The attack vector requires no authentication for exploitation, making it extremely dangerous in environments where these devices are accessible from untrusted networks. The public disclosure of exploit code further amplifies the risk, as it removes the requirement for advanced technical skills to leverage this vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can potentially lead to complete device compromise and data exfiltration. Network-attached storage devices often contain sensitive corporate or personal information, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points within networks. The vulnerability affects multiple generations of D-Link products, suggesting a widespread exposure across various deployments. Organizations that have not yet retired these devices remain at significant risk, particularly those with legacy systems that have not undergone proper security assessments. The fact that these products are end-of-life means that no security patches or updates are available, leaving affected organizations with limited defensive options. From a security compliance standpoint, this vulnerability represents a critical failure in maintaining secure network infrastructure and could result in regulatory violations under frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOX requirements.
Given that these devices are end-of-life and no longer supported by D-Link, the recommended mitigation strategies focus on immediate physical and network isolation. Organizations should immediately disconnect affected devices from production networks and implement network segmentation to prevent lateral movement. The most effective long-term solution involves complete replacement of these devices with supported models that receive regular security updates and have active vendor support. Network administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around the affected cgi-bin endpoints. For environments where immediate replacement is not feasible, organizations should consider implementing network access controls and firewall rules to restrict access to these vulnerable devices. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular inventory audits and end-of-life management processes to prevent organizations from maintaining unsupported devices that pose significant security risks. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can effectively respond to exploitation attempts involving these types of legacy vulnerabilities.