CVE-2019-16920 is a critical vulnerability affecting several D-Link router models, including DIR-655C, DIR-866L, DIR-652, and DHP-1565. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote code execution, which can lead to full system compromise. The issue arises when an attacker sends arbitrary input to a "PingTest" device common gateway interface, potentially leading to command injection. Given the severity of this vulnerability, organizations using affected devices should take immediate action.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required, making it particularly concerning for organizations. The implications of this vulnerability extend to confidentiality, integrity, and availability, all rated high. Organizations must prioritize addressing this issue to prevent potential exploitation.
As of now, the vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild, as indicated by its inclusion in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. Therefore, organizations are urged to take immediate action to mitigate this risk. The urgency for defenders is critical, and remediation efforts should be prioritized.
Organizations should consider disconnecting impacted devices from their networks if they are still in use, as the affected D-Link products are end-of-life. This drastic measure is necessary to prevent unauthorized access and potential system compromises.
In summary, CVE-2019-16920 is a critical vulnerability that presents significant risks to organizations. Immediate action to remediate this issue is essential to safeguard systems and data.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability is described as an unauthenticated remote code execution issue affecting various D-Link products, including DIR-655C, DIR-866L, DIR-652, and DHP-1565. The command injection vulnerability arises when arbitrary input is sent to a "PingTest" common gateway interface. Successful exploitation can lead to full system compromise. The affected D-Link products also include DIR-855L, DAP-1533, DIR-862L, DIR-615, DIR-835, and DIR-825.
The CVSS score is 9.8, classified as critical, with a base severity of CRITICAL. The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, with no privileges or user interaction required. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high, indicating a severe risk to affected systems.
The vulnerability was published on September 27, 2019, and is classified under CWE-78. Organizations must take this vulnerability seriously due to its high impact and exploitation potential.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2019-16920 lies in inadequate input validation within the "PingTest" common gateway interface. An attacker can exploit this flaw by sending specially crafted input, allowing them to execute arbitrary commands on the vulnerable D-Link devices.
The attack vector is network-based, meaning an attacker can exploit this vulnerability remotely without physical access to the device. The attack complexity is low, as it does not require any specialized skills to execute successfully. Additionally, there are no privileges required to exploit this vulnerability, making it easier for attackers to take control of the affected systems.
User interaction is not required, further increasing the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability has significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as attackers could gain full control over the affected devices, leading to potential data breaches and service disruptions.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Organizations deploying affected D-Link routers face substantial risks due to CVE-2019-16920. The ability for an attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely opens the door for various malicious activities, including unauthorized access to sensitive information and the potential for further network compromises.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is significant, as multiple D-Link router models are affected, increasing the likelihood that organizations may have vulnerable devices in their networks. The urgency assessment based on the CVSS score and inclusion in the KEV catalog indicates that organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
Failure to address this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences, including data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory penalties. Organizations must take proactive measures to secure their networks and devices against this critical vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions of the following D-Link firmware are affected: DIR-655C, DIR-866L, DIR-652, DHP-1565, DIR-855L, DAP-1533, DIR-862L, DIR-615, DIR-835, and DIR-825. Organizations should verify their devices and ensure they are patched to secure versions.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should disconnect affected D-Link devices from their networks if they are still in use, as these products have reached their end-of-life status. Patching is critical for any remaining devices to ensure they are not susceptible to this vulnerability.
To further minimize risks, organizations can implement network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices and apply strict access controls. Monitoring network traffic for unusual activities can also help detect potential exploitation attempts.
For ongoing security, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to assess their network security posture and identify any additional vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unusual command executions or unauthorized access attempts on affected devices. Behavioral anomalies in network traffic patterns may also signal exploitation.
Establishing alerts for specific actions taken on network devices can provide early warnings of potential compromise.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2019-16920 highlights a significant trend in the security landscape, where common consumer devices become targets for exploitation through command injection vulnerabilities. This incident illustrates the importance of maintaining device security, particularly for IoT and networking equipment.
Security teams should consider implementing proactive measures, such as regular security assessments and device patching, to safeguard against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Lessons learned from this vulnerability emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to device security, which includes assessing the security of all connected hardware. Organizations can benefit from adopting a continuous security testing strategy to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Finally, organizations should adopt a security-first mindset when deploying devices, ensuring that security measures are integrated into the procurement and deployment processes.
For more insights about security best practices, consider reviewing our resource on vulnerability management programs.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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