Overview
In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, a new vulnerability has been discovered that could potentially compromise systems and lead to data leakage. This vulnerability, dubbed CVE-2025-45931, affects the D-Link DIR-816-A2 router. More specifically, it is found in the DIR-816A2_FWv1.10CNB05_R1B011D88210 firmware of the device. This vulnerability poses a serious risk as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage.
Vulnerability Summary
CVE ID: CVE-2025-45931
Severity: Critical (9.8/10 on CVSS)
Attack Vector: Network
Privileges Required: None
User Interaction: None
Impact: System compromise, potential data leakage
Affected Products
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Product | Affected Versions
D-Link DIR-816-A2 | FWv1.10CNB05_R1B011D88210
How the Exploit Works
The vulnerability is present in the `bin/goahead` file of the affected D-Link firmware. This file contains a `system()` function that can be exploited by a remote attacker. By sending a carefully crafted request, an attacker can inject malicious code that the system function will execute. Since the system function runs with elevated privileges, this allows the attacker to execute arbitrary code with similar elevated privileges.
Conceptual Example Code
Below is a conceptual example of how the vulnerability might be exploited. In this case, the attacker sends a malicious payload to a vulnerable endpoint on the router.
POST /cgi-bin/goahead HTTP/1.1
Host: target_router_ip
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
cmd=system("malicious_command")In the above example, `cmd=system(“malicious_command”)` is the malicious payload. The system function executes the `malicious_command` with elevated privileges, which could lead to various adverse impacts, such as unauthorized system access, data theft, or further propagation of the attack.
Mitigation Steps
The most effective way to mitigate this vulnerability is by applying the vendor-provided patch. D-Link has released a firmware update that addresses this issue. Users of the affected routers are strongly advised to update their firmware as soon as possible.
In addition to the patch, users can also put up additional protection layers, such as Web Application Firewalls (WAF) or Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), as temporary mitigation. These protections could help in detecting and blocking attempts to exploit this vulnerability. However, they are not a substitute for the official patch and should only be seen as supplementary measures.
Remember, staying updated is key in cybersecurity. Keep your firmware and software up-to-date to protect your systems and data from potential threats.