EUVD-2023-36482

Comprehensive Technical Analysis of EUVD-2023-36482

1. Vulnerability Assessment and Severity Evaluation

Vulnerability Description: The EUVD entry EUVD-2023-36482 pertains to a vulnerability in D-Link DSL-224 firmware version 3.0.10, specifically categorized as CWE-307: Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform brute-force attacks on the authentication mechanism without being restricted or locked out after multiple failed attempts.

Severity Evaluation: The vulnerability has a CVSS Base Score of 9.8, which is considered critical. The CVSS vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H indicates the following:

• Attack Vector (AV): Network (N)
• Attack Complexity (AC): Low (L)
• Privileges Required (PR): None (N)
• User Interaction (UI): None (N)
• Scope (S): Unchanged (U)
• Confidentiality (C): High (H)
• Integrity (I): High (H)
• Availability (A): High (H)

This high severity score underscores the critical nature of the vulnerability, which can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, and potential system takeovers.

2. Potential Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Attack Vectors:

• Brute-Force Attacks: Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by attempting multiple login attempts until they successfully guess the credentials.
• Automated Scripts: Malicious actors can use automated scripts to perform rapid, repeated login attempts, increasing the likelihood of successful unauthorized access.

Exploitation Methods:

• Credential Stuffing: Using known username and password combinations from previous data breaches.
• Dictionary Attacks: Using a predefined list of common passwords to guess the correct credentials.
• Rainbow Table Attacks: Using precomputed tables to reverse cryptographic hash functions.

3. Affected Systems and Software Versions

Affected Systems:

• D-Link DSL-224 devices running firmware version 3.0.10.

Software Versions:

• Firmware version 3.0.10 is explicitly affected.

4. Recommended Mitigation Strategies

Immediate Actions:

• Update Firmware: Upgrade to the latest firmware version provided by D-Link.
• Implement Rate Limiting: Configure the device to limit the number of authentication attempts within a specific time frame.
• Enable Account Lockout: Implement an account lockout policy after a certain number of failed login attempts.

Long-Term Strategies:

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to add an additional layer of security.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
• Network Segmentation: Segment the network to limit the potential impact of a successful attack.

5. Impact on European Cybersecurity Landscape

Regional Impact:

• Widespread Deployment: D-Link devices are widely used in both residential and commercial settings across Europe. This vulnerability poses a significant risk to the security of these environments.
• Compliance Issues: Organizations may face compliance issues with regulations such as GDPR if unauthorized access leads to data breaches.
• Reputation Risk: Companies using affected devices may suffer reputational damage if a breach occurs.

Mitigation Efforts:

• Coordinated Response: European cybersecurity agencies should coordinate with D-Link and affected organizations to ensure timely patching and mitigation.
• Public Awareness: Increase public awareness about the importance of updating firmware and implementing strong security practices.

6. Technical Details for Security Professionals

Vulnerability Details:

• CWE-307: This weakness occurs when the software does not implement proper mechanisms to restrict the number of authentication attempts, allowing attackers to perform brute-force attacks.
• CVSS Score Breakdown:
  • AV:N: The vulnerability is exploitable over the network.
  • AC:L: The attack complexity is low, requiring minimal effort to exploit.
  • PR:N: No privileges are required to exploit the vulnerability.
  • UI:N: No user interaction is required.
  • S:U: The scope of the vulnerability is unchanged.
  • C:H, I:H, A:H: The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high.

References:

• Advisory Link: Gov.il CVE Advisories
• Aliases: CVE-2023-32224, GSD-2023-32224

Assigner:

• INCD: Israeli National Cyber Directorate

EPSS Score:

• EPSS: 1: The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score of 1 indicates a low likelihood of exploitation in the wild, but this should not deter from taking immediate mitigation actions.

ENISA IDs:

• Product ID: 732b17c3-18d5-3c60-a3af-6c8edb1f20eb
• Vendor ID: b186712c-b4ee-3dac-82ac-6be4b2829f1c

By addressing this vulnerability promptly and effectively, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, thereby enhancing their overall cybersecurity posture.