CVE-2019-17146 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security weakness has been identified in the D-Link DCS-960L v1.07.102 system, allowing unauthorized individuals to execute arbitrary commands. The vulnerability lies in the HNAP service, enabling attackers to run code within admin user privileges.

Understanding CVE-2019-17146

This CVE involves a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the D-Link DCS-960L v1.07.102 system.

What is CVE-2019-17146?

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code without authentication on affected D-Link DCS-960L v1.07.102 installations.
The flaw is present in the HNAP service, which does not properly validate user-supplied data, leading to code execution by attackers.

The Impact of CVE-2019-17146

CVSS Score: 8.8 (High)
Attack Vector: Adjacent Network
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High
Privileges Required: None

Technical Details of CVE-2019-17146

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-121) in the D-Link DCS-960L v1.07.102 system.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: D-Link DCS-960L
Affected Version: v1.07.102

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the flaw in the HNAP service on TCP port 80 by sending a specially crafted SOAPAction request header.
By not validating user-supplied data length, attackers can inject and execute arbitrary code within the admin user's privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-17146 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the affected service or apply vendor-supplied patches immediately.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all software and firmware to address known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and mitigate potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from D-Link and apply patches promptly to secure the system.