CVE-2023-53896 identifies a broken access control vulnerability in the D-Link DAP-1325 wireless access point firmware version 1.01. The flaw resides in the /cgi-bin/ExportSettings.sh endpoint, which allows unauthenticated remote attackers to download the device’s configuration settings without any authentication or user interaction. This endpoint is intended to export configuration data, but due to missing authentication controls, it can be accessed directly by anyone with network access to the device. The exposed configuration data likely includes sensitive information such as network credentials, administrative passwords, and other security parameters. The vulnerability has a CVSS 4.0 base score of 8.7, reflecting its high severity, primarily due to the complete lack of authentication (Attack Vector: Network, Attack Complexity: Low, Privileges Required: None, User Interaction: None) and the high impact on confidentiality. There is no indication that the vulnerability affects integrity or availability. No patches or firmware updates are currently linked, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild, but the vulnerability’s nature makes it a prime target for attackers seeking to gain network footholds or conduct further attacks. The vulnerability affects only firmware version 1.01, so other versions may not be impacted. The device is commonly used in small to medium business and home environments, but its compromise could lead to lateral movement within networks or exposure of sensitive network configurations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk of sensitive information disclosure. Attackers exploiting this flaw can obtain network configuration details, including Wi-Fi credentials and administrative passwords, potentially allowing unauthorized network access and further exploitation. This can lead to data breaches, unauthorized surveillance, or pivoting attacks within corporate networks. The impact is particularly critical for organizations with strict data protection requirements under GDPR, as exposure of network credentials could lead to unauthorized access to personal data. Additionally, sectors such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that rely on secure wireless access points may face increased risk of operational disruption or espionage. The vulnerability’s ease of exploitation and lack of authentication requirements make it a low-barrier entry point for attackers, increasing the likelihood of targeted attacks against European entities using affected devices.

1. Immediately check for and apply any official firmware updates from D-Link addressing this vulnerability. 2. If no patch is available, restrict access to the management interface and the /cgi-bin/ExportSettings.sh endpoint by implementing network segmentation and firewall rules limiting access to trusted IP addresses only. 3. Disable remote management features if not required, especially over untrusted networks. 4. Monitor network traffic for unusual requests to the /cgi-bin/ExportSettings.sh endpoint or other suspicious activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Change all default and administrative passwords on affected devices to strong, unique credentials. 6. Consider replacing affected devices with models that have confirmed secure firmware if patching is not feasible. 7. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability scans to detect the presence of vulnerable firmware versions within the network. 8. Educate network administrators about this vulnerability and ensure incident response plans include steps for dealing with potential exploitation.