CVE-2020-25758 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered on D-Link DSR-250 3.17 devices where insufficient validation of configuration file checksums could allow a remote, authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary crontab entries into saved configurations before uploading, which are executed as root.

Understanding CVE-2020-25758

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in D-Link DSR-250 3.17 devices that could be exploited by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary commands as root.

What is CVE-2020-25758?

The vulnerability arises from inadequate validation of configuration file checksums, enabling an authenticated attacker to insert malicious crontab entries into saved configurations.

The Impact of CVE-2020-25758

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized execution of commands with elevated privileges, posing a significant security risk to affected devices.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-25758

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a remote, authenticated attacker to inject arbitrary crontab entries into saved configurations, which are subsequently executed with root privileges.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Systems: D-Link DSR-250 3.17 devices
Affected Versions: All versions of D-Link DSR-250 3.17

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker needs to be authenticated to the device to exploit the vulnerability. By manipulating configuration file checksums, the attacker can insert malicious crontab entries.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-25758 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by D-Link promptly.
Monitor for any unauthorized crontab entries on the device.
Restrict network access to the device to trusted users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to mitigate known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.
Educate users on best security practices to prevent social engineering attacks.

Patching and Updates

D-Link has released patches to address this vulnerability. Ensure that the latest firmware updates are applied to all affected D-Link DSR-250 3.17 devices.