CVE-2017-17411 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This security weakness enables unauthorized individuals to run malicious commands on Linksys WVBR0 devices that have not been updated to address the vulnerability. Authentication is not necessary for an attacker to exploit this flaw. The vulnerability allows attackers to execute code with full administrative privileges.

Understanding CVE-2017-17411

This vulnerability, identified as ZDI-CAN-4892, affects Linksys WVBR0 devices due to improper validation of user input in the web-based management portal.

What is CVE-2017-17411?

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable installations of Linksys WVBR0 without requiring authentication. The flaw lies in the lack of proper validation of user data before executing system commands.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17411

Exploiting this vulnerability grants attackers the ability to execute code with root privileges, compromising the security of the affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17411

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command, specifically 'OS Command Injection' (CWE-78).

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Linksys WVBR0
Vendor: Linksys
Version: WVBR0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the flaw by sending malicious commands through the web-based management portal, bypassing authentication and gaining full administrative privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-17411 requires immediate action and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Linksys WVBR0 devices to the latest firmware version that addresses the vulnerability.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and the importance of timely software updates.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and patches released by Linksys to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2017-17411.