Some Older Linksys Routers allow UPnP Configurable from the net

[+Warwagon MVC]

Some Older Linksys Routers allow UPnP Configurable from

update the firmware or disable UPnP immediately!

Routers from various manufacturers support UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) on their WAN interfaces, which apparently makes it possible for attackers to reconfigure them remotely via the internet and, for example, misuse them as surfing proxies or to infiltrate internal LANs. The problem was discovered by IT security specialist Daniel Garcia, who has developed the Umap tool to demonstrate the problem; the tool is available to download free of charge.

Umap detects UPnP-enabled end devices such as DSL routers and cable modems on the internet by directly retrieving the devices' XML descriptions. The required URLs and ports for some models are hard-coded into the tool. This enables the software to bypass the usual restriction that only allows UPnP to search for compatible hardware via multicast in local networks. Garcia says that entire device series by Edimax, Linksys, Sitecom or Thomson (SpeedTouch) respond to UPnP requests on their WAN interfaces.

Since UPnP isn't designed to include any authentication, the XML description can always be retrieved. Garcia said that, by performing an internet scan, he managed to detect 150,000 potentially vulnerable devices within a short period of time. Once initial contact has been made, the scanner sends such UPnP commands as AddPortMapping or DeletePortMapping to the devices via SOAP requests. LAN devices usually use these commands to access the internet via NAT. However, the devices from the manufacturers in question allow the port to be opened ? and redirected to any other LAN device ? via the WAN interface. Umap attempts to guess the internal IP address that is required to do so.

http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item/UPnP-enabled-routers-allow-attacks-on-LANs-1329727.html

[_neutrino Veteran]

been disabled for rather some time. :p

[+Warwagon MVC]

been disabled for rather some time. :p

Ya but what about the millions of users of Linksys routers that just plug it in and go.

[HawkMan]

Keeping upnp on because it's convenient, and keeping the firewalls on only computers because there's no reason to not have them on.

And overly sensationalist.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Keeping upnp on because it's convenient, and keeping the firewalls on only computers because there's no reason to not have them on.

And overly sensationalist.

What if you were behind a linksys router, had UPnP and had folder shares setup on your network. Then a guy on the net configures your UPnP to allow folder shares accessible on the net?

[HawkMan]

Ummm, wel for one I am behind a link sys with upnp on, however, since my folder shares are set u with user account security anyway, it wouldn't matter

[Vice]

Bit melodramatic to be honest. There is more users on the internet not using a router at all with all their ports open than there are users affected by this.

[rajputwarrior]

***WARNING!*** Linksys Routers UPnP is Configurable from the net

disable UPnP immediately!

For some reason this story isn't getting much press. Personally I think this is huge. I had a hard enough time just finding a site that talked about it.

maybe because it's not that big of a deal?

[+Warwagon MVC]

maybe because it's not that big of a deal?

Well it isn't exactly a small deal.

[Pc_Madness]

Err, how is it not a big deal? Hackers can easily gain access to a network? :\ *disables uPnP*

[Ryoken]

Anyone that has set all their shares to public, is an idiot.

Someone wants to get on my network feel free, you'll get to see that I have shares, but that's it.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Anyone that has set all their shares to public, is an idiot.

Someone wants to get on my network feel free, you'll get to see that I have shares, but that's it.

The fact a someone on the net can configure your router from the outside and even see your shares should make you feel uneasy. Regardless if they can actually open the shares,

[j4c3]

This isn't really a huge deal, because, as it was said before, there are plenty of computers out there not even behind a router. However having your ports open for anyone on the internet isn't a good idea. You could always be caught with a slightly outdated software or exploited with a zero day.

[HawkMan]

wonder whta the people who think this is a big deal is gonna say when we finally get wide adoption of IPv6

[Obi-Wan Kenobi]

any newb knows not to enable UPnP....</joke>

Joking aside....what a bummer! I mean, I sit behind a netgear router as my primary gateway...a linksys I'm using as a switch...then a linksys I'm using as an access point, with multiple workstations on wifi...even a ps3...and still, don't have to worry about it. Life goes on....(least, for me anyway)

[paxa]

been using linksys for quite some time, no need for upnp...so no bother to me

[darcmage]

There's probably a large number of people that use Linksys routers with custom firmware. Newer firmware versions have a feature that says "UPnP clients are allowed to add mappings only to their IP". I'd imagine this would protect you from the kind of vulnerability talked about in the article.

[+Warwagon MVC]

Linksys will more than likely fix this in a firmware update. But now many "Average user" upgrade the firmware of their routers?

How many "Average user" also install custom firmware?

So my guess would be we have millions of average users with linksys routers out there that are non the wiser to this issue.

[sc302 Veteran]

my old ass linksys router does not enable upnp out of the box.

[+Warwagon MVC]

my old ass linksys router does not enable upnp out of the box.

Well that's good :)

[sc302 Veteran]

basically what I am getting at is that there are fewer with this issue than you think. Many routers do not enable upnp out of the box....I believe that there are more out there that do not than there are that do. I have run into less than a handful that have had this enabled out of the box. It is the gaming users (xbox, ps3, and possibly the wii users) that have this feature enabled...perhaps being that you have more experiance on the home side than I do in recent years you see different, but I am pretty sure that you have to enable this feature on most or all routers.

[+Warwagon MVC]

basically what I am getting at is that there are fewer with this issue than you think. Many routers do not enable upnp out of the box....I believe that there are more out there that do not than there are that do. I have run into less than a handful that have had this enabled out of the box. It is the gaming users (xbox, ps3, and possibly the wii users) that have this feature enabled...perhaps being that you have more experiance on the home side than I do in recent years you see different, but I am pretty sure that you have to enable this feature on most or all routers.

Having to enable it, doesn't that defeat the purpose it was created for? I can see why home user routers would be on by default, and I could also see why business class routers would have it off by default.

[sc302 Veteran]

Having to enable it, doesn't that defeat the purpose it was created for?

how so? disabled for the majority, if you need it you enable it....it is a tick just like wpa is a tick to enable.

[+Warwagon MVC]

how so? disabled for the majority, if you need it you enable it.

Ya, but they are Made for the 'Home users" Home users barely know where the address bar is, let alone how to log into their router and enable UPnP :cool:

I don't disagree with. If you need it turned on its a VERY easy thing to do. For the the home user, a not such an east thing to do.

[sc302 Veteran]

Ya, but they are Made for the 'Home users" Home users barely know where the address bar is, let alone how to log into their router and enable UPnP :cool:

very true and that is why you see many routers that have no wireless security and upnp disabled because they kept the defaults.

point being that although it is a flaw, the majority isn't succumed to this flaw being that they don't even know how to get in to it to check it's ip or if it is connected to the internet. the ones who this flaw is subject to are the people who know enough to enable it for whatever reason and should be keeping up on their security and updates.