Critical D-Link Vulnerability Exposes Routers to Unauthorized Access
A critical security flaw, CVE-2024-13030, has been discovered in the web management interface of the D-Link DIR-823G router (firmware version 1.0.2B05_20181207). This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass access controls, potentially compromising device security and exposing networks to further exploitation.
Vulnerability Overview
The vulnerability stems from improper access control in the router’s /HNAP1/ endpoint, which governs several critical management functions, including:
SetAutoRebootSettings
SetClientInfo
SetDMZSettings
SetFirewallSettings
SetParentsControlInfo
SetQoSSettings
SetVirtualServerSettings
Attackers can exploit this flaw to:
Gain unauthorized access to the router’s settings.
Modify configurations without authentication.
Compromise the router to launch broader attacks on connected networks.
Severity and CVSS Scores
The vulnerability’s impact has been assessed using the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) across different versions:
CVSS 4.0: 6.9 (Medium)
CVSS 3.1/3.0: 7.3 (High)
CVSS 2.0: 7.5
Key contributors to the high severity scores include:
Remote exploitation: Physical access to the router is unnecessary.
Lack of authentication: Attackers do not require valid credentials to exploit the flaw.
Significant impact: Compromises the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device and network.
Technical Details
The vulnerability is tied to the router’s Home Network Administration Protocol (HNAP1). Flaws in:
Access control implementation (CWE-284)
Privilege assignment (CWE-266)
…allow attackers to escalate privileges and execute unauthorized commands. By sending specially crafted requests to the router’s web management interface, attackers can exploit the vulnerability remotely.
Alarmingly, an exploit for this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the likelihood of active attacks targeting D-Link DIR-823G devices.
Mitigation Recommendations
Currently, D-Link has not released a patch for this vulnerability. Until an official fix is available, users and organizations should adopt the following precautions:
Restrict Remote Management Access
Limit access to trusted IP addresses or disable remote management entirely.
Strengthen Local Administration
Use strong, unique passwords for device access.
Monitor Network Traffic
Look for unusual activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Replace Vulnerable Devices
Consider upgrading to newer models with regular security updates and better support.
Researcher Discovery and Public Disclosure
The vulnerability was reported by security researcher wxhwxhwxh_mie and documented in VulDB’s public disclosure. Their findings highlight the urgent need for device owners to act swiftly to mitigate risks.
Conclusion
The CVE-2024-13030 vulnerability underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures, especially for devices integral to network functionality. Organizations and individuals using D-Link DIR-823G routers must take immediate action to secure their networks as exploitation risks grow.
Stay informed. Stay secure.
