CVE-2018-20114 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

D-Link DIR-818LW Rev.A 2.05.B03 and DIR-860L Rev.B 2.03.B03 devices are vulnerable to unauthenticated remote OS command execution via the soap.cgi service of the cgibin binary.

Understanding CVE-2018-20114

This CVE involves a critical vulnerability that allows attackers to execute commands on affected devices remotely.

What is CVE-2018-20114?

The vulnerability in the soap.cgi service of the cgibin binary on D-Link DIR-818LW Rev.A 2.05.B03 and DIR-860L Rev.B 2.03.B03 devices enables unauthenticated remote OS command execution by inserting the "&&" substring in the service parameter. This issue stems from an incomplete fix for a previous CVE-2018-6530.

The Impact of CVE-2018-20114

The exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized remote access to the affected devices, potentially resulting in data theft, device manipulation, or further network compromise.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-20114

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands on the affected D-Link devices by manipulating the soap.cgi service.

Affected Systems and Versions

D-Link DIR-818LW Rev.A 2.05.B03
D-Link DIR-860L Rev.B 2.03.B03

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by inserting the "&&" substring in the service parameter of the soap.cgi service, enabling attackers to execute unauthorized commands remotely.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-20114 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable remote access to affected devices if not required for operation.
Implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable devices.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.
Educate users on safe computing practices and awareness of potential threats.

Patching and Updates

Check for firmware updates from D-Link to address and fix the CVE-2018-20114 vulnerability.