CVE-2018-1146 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability in the Belkin N750 DB Wi-Fi Dual-Band N+ Gigabit Router (F9K1103) with firmware version 1.10.22 allows remote users to enable telnet access without authentication, potentially leading to unauthorized root access.

Understanding CVE-2018-1146

This CVE entry describes a security issue in the Belkin N750 router that could be exploited by remote attackers to gain unauthorized access.

What is CVE-2018-1146?

By sending a specially crafted HTTP request to set.cgi, an attacker can enable telnet on the affected router without the need for authentication. This allows the attacker to establish a telnet session with root privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1146

The vulnerability poses a significant security risk as it grants unauthorized users root access to the router, potentially leading to further compromise of the device and network.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1146

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A flaw in the firmware of the Belkin N750 router allows remote users to enable telnet access without authentication by manipulating the set.cgi HTTP request.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: N750 DB Wi-Fi Dual-Band N+ Gigabit Router (F9K1103)
Vendor: Belkin
Firmware Version: 1.10.22

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by sending a carefully crafted HTTP request to set.cgi, which triggers the unauthorized enabling of telnet access without requiring any authentication.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2018-1146 involves taking immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable telnet access on the affected router if not required for legitimate purposes.
Regularly monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Apply security patches or firmware updates provided by the vendor.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies for all network devices.
Segment the network to limit the impact of potential breaches.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Belkin users should check for firmware updates on the vendor's official website and apply them promptly to mitigate the vulnerability.