External risk intelligence

Buffalo Router Authentication Bypass Vulnerability.

CVE advisoryKnown Exploit

CVE-2021-20090

A path traversal vulnerability in Buffalo firmware allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass authentication. This could lead to unauthorized access to systems and sensitive data, posing a significant business risk.

5Halo Surface Signal

Path Traversal

Buffalo Wsr 2533dhpl2 Bk Firmware

1.02 and earlier1.24 and earlier

External exposure likelihood

Halo Surface Signal score for CVE-2021-20090

The vulnerability resides in the web interface of home routers/gateways. These devices are designed to provide management services via a web interface, and when deployed, these interfaces are often exposed to the network, including potential internet exposure if not properly configured behind a firewall.

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

Buffalo firmware in certain router models contains a flaw within its web interface. This weakness allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass normal authentication processes. The potential impact includes unauthorized access to sensitive information and systems.

  • Vulnerable Buffalo router firmware
  • Path traversal bypasses authentication
  • Unauthorized system access

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to bypass the authentication process for affected Buffalo devices. Attackers can exploit this by sending specially crafted requests to the device's web interface. Successful exploitation could grant unauthorized access to the system.

  • Web interface is exposed.
  • Attacker sends a malicious request.
  • Authentication is bypassed.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

A path traversal vulnerability exists in the web interfaces of certain Buffalo router firmware versions. This issue allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication. The widespread use of these devices and the ease of exploitation present a significant risk. Organizations should prioritize addressing this vulnerability.

  • Attacker skill level: Low
  • Required access or conditions: Network access
  • Business risk or urgency: High

Priority actions

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The organization should prioritize addressing a critical path traversal vulnerability affecting specific Buffalo firmware. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication, posing a significant risk to business operations and data confidentiality. Prompt action is necessary to identify and mitigate the impact of this exposure.

  • Find affected Buffalo router assets.
  • Reduce exposure or isolate affected assets.
  • Apply vendor fix, verify, and monitor.

Frequently asked questions

What is the nature of the CVE-2021-20090 vulnerability affecting Buffalo routers?

CVE-2021-20090 is a path traversal vulnerability in the web interfaces of specific Buffalo router firmware versions. This weakness allows unauthenticated remote attackers to bypass authentication, potentially granting them unauthorized access and control over the device.

Which Buffalo router firmware versions are impacted by CVE-2021-20090?

The vulnerability affects Buffalo WSR-2533DHPL2 firmware versions 1.02 and earlier, and WSR-2533DHP3 firmware versions 1.24 and earlier.

How can CVE-2021-20090 be exploited by attackers?

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending specially crafted HTTP requests to the router's web management interface. These requests contain path traversal sequences that allow attackers to bypass authentication controls and access sensitive information or administrative functions.

What are the implications of exploiting CVE-2021-20090 on affected Buffalo routers?

Successful exploitation can lead to a complete compromise of the affected router, enabling attackers to gain administrative control, infiltrate networks, modify configurations, and potentially deploy malware like Mirai.

What is the recommended action for mitigating CVE-2021-20090 in Buffalo routers?

The recommended action is to update the firmware of affected Buffalo routers to the latest available version. Users should visit the Buffalo support website to download and install the appropriate security patches.

References

Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI)

Sources: malpedia