Source: cret@cert.org
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability on Belkin F9K1102 2 devices with firmware 2.10.17 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users.
Remote attackers can exploit a cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Belkin F9K1102 2 routers running firmware 2.10.17, potentially allowing them to hijack user authentication and gain unauthorized access. This vulnerability poses a significant risk as it could lead to complete control of the router, enabling attackers to intercept network traffic, modify settings, and potentially pivot to other devices on the network.
Step 1: Victim Logged In: The victim is logged into the Belkin F9K1102 2 router's web interface.
Step 2: Attacker Crafting: The attacker crafts a malicious HTML page or email containing a hidden form or a specially crafted URL that, when visited or clicked by the victim, will send a request to the router.
Step 3: Payload Delivery: The attacker lures the victim to visit the malicious page or click the malicious link. This could be through phishing, social engineering, or other means.
Step 4: Request Submission: The victim's browser, while still authenticated to the router, automatically submits the crafted request to the router. This could be a POST request containing configuration changes or other malicious actions.
Step 5: Router Execution: Because the router lacks CSRF protection, it processes the attacker's request as if it originated from the victim. The router executes the malicious action, such as changing the router's DNS settings, password, or other sensitive configurations.
Step 6: Attack Completion: The attacker successfully hijacks the victim's authenticated session and can now control the router, potentially intercepting traffic, modifying settings, or launching further attacks.
The vulnerability stems from a lack of proper CSRF protection in the Belkin F9K1102 2 router's web interface. The router's web application fails to validate the origin of requests, allowing an attacker to craft malicious requests that are executed with the victim's authenticated session. Specifically, the application does not include CSRF tokens or other mechanisms to verify the request's origin. This allows an attacker to trick a logged-in user into performing actions they did not intend, such as changing the router's configuration or accessing sensitive information. The root cause is a missing or inadequate implementation of CSRF mitigation techniques within the router's web application code. The application trusts all incoming requests without verifying their authenticity.
While specific APT groups are not directly linked to this CVE, the nature of the vulnerability makes it attractive to a wide range of attackers, including those seeking to establish a foothold in a network. This vulnerability could be used as part of a larger attack chain. CISA KEV status: Not Listed
Monitor router logs for unexpected configuration changes, such as changes to DNS settings, administrator passwords, or firewall rules.
Analyze network traffic for unusual HTTP requests originating from the victim's browser to the router's IP address, especially POST requests to configuration endpoints.
Implement network intrusion detection systems (IDS) with signatures that detect CSRF attempts against the router's web interface.
Review web server access logs for suspicious activity, such as requests from unexpected IP addresses or user agents.
Monitor for changes in the router's firmware version, as this vulnerability is specific to a particular version.
Upgrade the Belkin F9K1102 2 router's firmware to a version that addresses the CSRF vulnerability. Check the Belkin support website for the latest firmware updates.
Implement CSRF protection mechanisms in the router's web application code. This includes using CSRF tokens, verifying the origin of requests, and implementing other best practices for web application security.
Disable the router's web interface if remote access is not required. This reduces the attack surface.
Change the default administrator password to a strong, unique password.
Segment the network to isolate the router from other critical network resources.
Regularly audit the router's configuration and security settings.