Multiple Vulnerabilities in TP-Link TL-SG108E(CVE-2017-17745, CVE-2017-17746, CVE-2017-17747)

Overview

Three vulnerabilities have been discovered in the TP-Link TL-SG108E,
firmware 1.0.0 Build 20160722 Rel.50167:

• CVE-2017-17745 - Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in system_name_set.cgi,
  sysName parameter
• CVE-2017-17746 - Weak access control for user authentication
• CVE-2017-17747 - Weak access control for user logout

This is not an exhaustive list of vulnerabilities that may exist in
the device firmware.

Device Overview

From http://www.tp-link.com.au/products/details/cat-41_TL-SG108E.html

• “The TL-SG108E 8-Port Gigabit Easy Smart switch is an ideal upgrade
  from an unmanaged switch, designed for Small and Medium Business
  networks that require simple network management. Network
  administrators can effectively monitor traffic via Port Mirroring,
  Loop Prevention and Cable Diagnostics features.”

Affected Devices

• Firmware Version: 1.0.0 Build 20160722 Rel.50167

• Hardware Version: TL-SG108E 3.0

• Older TL-SG108E devices may also be affected.

Disclosure Timeline

• September 08th, 2017 - Vulnerabilities discovered after purchasing the device.
• September 10th, 2017 - Contacted TP-Link via tp-link.com.au
• September 12th, 2017 - TP-Link responded, requesting further information
• September 12th, 2017 - Responded to TP-Link with vulnerability
  specifics. Advised a 90 day disclosure timeline, with offer to
  increase deadline if TP-Link wishes.
• September 12th -> October 16th - Emails back and forth discussing how
  to trigger the vulnerabilities.
• October 16th, 2017 - TP-Link confirms XSS vulnerability
  (CVE-2017-17745), advises an updated firmware will be released.
  TP-Link advises two remaining vulnerabilities (CVE-2017-17746,
  CVE-2017-17747) will not be fixed.
• December 18th, 2017 - Applied to Mitre for CVE numbers.
• December 19th, 2017 - Mitre assigned CVE-2017-17745, CVE-2017-17746,
  CVE-2017-17747
• December 19th, 2017 - Public disclosure.

As of this date (December 19th, 2017), no updated firmware has been
offered for testing, or released to the public.

Notes

In all examples below, the TL-SG108E was configured with a LAN IP
address of 192.168.1.6.
Many thanks to Simon @ TP-Link for the prompt email responses.

CVE-2017-17745 - Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS)

• Device is not validating input to the script system_name_set.cgi on
  the TL-SG108E or on output to screen.
• Only the sysName variable in system_name_set.cgi was tested in this
  instance. Other fields in the management web-application may have
  similar problems, these were not tested.

Risks:

• In some network configurations (such as behind a NAT router, as
  outlined in CVE-2017-17746) a malicious user could store XSS on the
  TL-SG108E and cause the administrator of the TL-SG108E to execute
  arbitrary javascript code in their browser.

Proof of Concept:

• Authenticate to the device in a browser
• Execute the following command from a terminal window: curl -vvvs -X
  ‘GET’ ‘http://192.168.1.6/system_name_set.cgi?sysName=TL-SG"]};alert(1);</script>’
• To trigger the XSS: Browse -> System -> System Info. Alert box
  containing ‘1’ displays, indicating successful javascript execution.

Mitigation:

• Set the device password to a strong password.
• Restrict access to the device from approved administrator
  workstations until an updated firmware is available.

CVE-2017-17746 - Weak access control

• All information regarding authenticated sessions is stored on the
  TL-SG108E, no cookies are sent from the device to the client after
  successful authentication.

Risks:

• Any other browser on a PC which has authenticated, is then also
  treated as authenticated (Example: Login in Chrome, then open Firefox
  and browse to the TL-SG108E, and the session is already authenticated)
• If the TL-SG108E is on the other side of a NAT router, ALL clients
  behind the NAT are treated as authenticated.

Steps to reproduce:

• Authenticate from any PC.
• Any other browser on that system is then able to access the
  web-interface without entering authentication information.
• By extension, guest VMs on that machine are then automatically authenticated.

Mitigation:

• Restrict access to the device from approved administrator
  workstations until an updated firmware is available.
• Prevent any access to the web interface from devices behind a NAT router.

CVE-2017-17747 - Weak access control on Logout.htm

• Logout.htm can be called from any IP address, ending any
  authenticated sessions on the device.

Risks:

• A denial of service condition can be triggered by calling the logout
  script in a loop from any machine on the network regardless of their
  authentication status, effectively making it impossible to access the
  TL-SG108E management web-application.

Steps to reproduce:

• Authenticate from any PC.
• From another PC with a different IP address, access the logout page
  (http://192.168.1.6/Logout.htm)
• The session on the first PC has been terminated.

Mitigation:

• Restrict access to the device from approved administrator
  workstations until an updated firmware is available.