CVE-2015-1187
Improper Authentication in The ping tool in multiple D-Link and TRENDnet devices allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the ping_addr parameter to ping
Executive Summary
CVE-2015-1187 is a critical severity vulnerability affecting api-security. It is classified as Improper Authentication. This vulnerability is actively being exploited in the wild.
Precogs AI Insight
"This security defect is primarily driven by within The ping tool, allowing an architectural oversight in input validation. This flaw provides a direct pathway for attackers to silently exfiltrate sensitive routing topologies and internal schemas. Precogs' API Security engine maps complex role-based access configurations to safeguard the application against payload injection."
What is this vulnerability?
CVE-2015-1187 is categorized as a critical Improper Authentication flaw with a CVSS base score of 9.8. Based on our vulnerability intelligence, this issue occurs when the application fails to securely handle untrusted data boundaries.
The ping tool in multiple D-Link and TRENDnet devices allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the ping_addr parameter to ping.ccp.
This architectural defect enables adversaries to bypass intended security controls, directly manipulating the application's execution state or data layer. Immediate strategic intervention is required.
Risk Assessment
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| CVSS Base Score | 9.8 (CRITICAL) |
| Vector String | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
| Published | September 21, 2017 |
| Last Modified | April 21, 2026 |
| Related CWEs | CWE-287, CWE-287 |
Impact on Systems
✅ Unauthorized Data Access: Attackers can bypass authorization controls to access other users' data or administrative endpoints.
✅ Account Takeover: Broken authentication or authorization may enable full account compromise without valid credentials.
✅ API Abuse: Exploiting this vulnerability enables mass data harvesting or destructive operations through unprotected API endpoints.
How to Fix and Mitigate CVE-2015-1187
- Apply Vendor Patches Immediately: This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. The impacted product is end-of-life and should be disconnected if still in use.
- Verify Patch Deployment: Confirm all instances are updated using Precogs continuous monitoring.
- Review Audit Logs: Investigate historical access logs for indicators of compromise related to this attack surface.
- Implement Defense-in-Depth: Deploy WAF rules, network segmentation, and endpoint detection to limit blast radius.
Defending with Precogs AI
Precogs API Security Engine performs deep analysis of API endpoints using Code Property Graph traversal, detecting broken authentication, mass assignment, BOLA/IDOR, and SSRF vulnerabilities across REST, GraphQL, and gRPC interfaces before they reach production.
Use Precogs to continuously scan your codebase, binaries, APIs, and infrastructure for this vulnerability class and related attack patterns. Our AI-powered detection engine combines static analysis with threat intelligence to identify exploitable weaknesses before attackers do.
Vulnerability Code Signature
Attack Data Flow
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| Source | Authentication endpoint |
| Vector | Flawed logic allows bypassing authentication checks |
| Sink | Access to protected resources |
| Impact | Account takeover, unauthorized access |
Vulnerable Code Pattern
// ❌ VULNERABLE: Improper Authentication
app.post('/login', (req, res) => {
const { username, password } = req.body;
// Taint sink: weak or bypassable validation
if (username === 'admin' || password === 'secret') {
req.session.authenticated = true;
res.send('Logged in');
}
});
Secure Code Pattern
// ✅ SECURE: Robust Authentication
const bcrypt = require('bcrypt');
app.post('/login', async (req, res) => {
const { username, password } = req.body;
const user = await db.getUser(username);
// Sanitized validation: secure password comparison
if (user && await bcrypt.compare(password, user.passwordHash)) {
req.session.authenticated = true;
res.send('Logged in');
} else {
res.status(401).send('Invalid credentials');
}
});
How Precogs Detects This
Precogs API Security Engine comprehensively audits endpoints to ensure strict authentication boundaries and secure logic.\n