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CVE-2019-16057: Critical Vulnerability in D-Link DNS-320

CVE-2019-16057 is a critical remote command injection vulnerability affecting D-Link DNS-320 devices. Organizations must act swiftly to mitigate risks associated with this flaw, which poses a significant threat to confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

CRITICALKnown ExploitedCVSS 9.8 · Published September 16, 2019

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CVE-2019-16057 is a critical vulnerability affecting the D-Link DNS-320 storage device, specifically through the login_mgr.cgi script. This vulnerability allows for remote command injection, which can lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of the device. The CVSS score of 9.8 indicates an extremely high level of risk, necessitating immediate attention from organizations using this product.

The nature of this vulnerability poses a severe risk to organizations, as attackers may leverage it to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. Given the critical severity level, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential damage.

As of now, there are no known public exploits available for this vulnerability, but it is included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating its active exploitation in the wild. Organizations should ensure that their systems are not just patched, but also monitored for potential breaches stemming from this vulnerability.

To manage the risk effectively, organizations using D-Link DNS-320 devices should consider disconnecting these devices from their networks if they cannot be patched, as the product is reported to be end-of-life.

Vulnerability Details

The login_mgr.cgi script in D-Link DNS-320 through version 2.05.B10 is vulnerable to remote command injection. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands, which can have severe implications on device security and integrity. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 score of 9.8, categorized as critical, with a base severity level of 'CRITICAL'.

The vulnerability was published on September 16, 2019, and has been classified under CWE-78, which refers to OS Command Injection. Organizations should take immediate steps to address this issue.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of the vulnerability lies in insufficient input validation within the login_mgr.cgi script, allowing for arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges or user interaction, which means attackers can exploit the vulnerability remotely.

The attack complexity is low, making it accessible for attackers with minimal skill. The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the device, marking it as a high-risk issue.

Risk & Impact Analysis

Organizations using D-Link DNS-320 devices face a significant risk due to the potential for unauthorized remote access and command execution. The blast radius of this vulnerability is considerable, affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data stored on the device.

Given that this vulnerability is actively exploited, organizations should evaluate their exposure and prioritize remediation actions. The CVSS score highlights the urgency for immediate patching or, if patches are unavailable, disconnection of affected devices from networks.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

Yes

Ransomware Use

Yes

Affected Versions

The affected version is D-Link DNS-320 firmware up to version 2.05.B10. Organizations should ensure that they are not running any vulnerable versions and take immediate action to upgrade or disconnect affected devices.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. However, as the affected product is end-of-life, if no patch is available, organizations should consider disconnecting the device from the network. For ongoing protection, organizations can implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices and apply strict access controls.

Regular security assessments, including penetration testing, can help identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for suspicious activities related to the D-Link DNS-320 devices. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected command executions or unauthorized access attempts, should be investigated promptly. Network signatures related to known exploit attempts can also be monitored.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

CVE-2019-16057 serves as a reminder of the risks associated with end-of-life products. The active exploitation of this vulnerability highlights the need for organizations to regularly assess their security posture and ensure that all devices are kept up-to-date.

To enhance security, organizations should invest in application security assessments and consider adopting a comprehensive continuous penetration testing approach to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

This vulnerability also exemplifies the importance of keeping abreast of emerging threats and adjusting security strategies accordingly.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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