CVE-2009-5156 in AR-804gu
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on ASMAX AR-804gu 66.34.1 devices. There is Command Injection via the cgi-bin/script query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-5156 affects ASMAX AR-804gu 66.34.1 wireless routers, representing a critical command injection flaw that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. This vulnerability resides within the web interface of the router's firmware, specifically in the cgi-bin/script endpoint where user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed. The issue stems from improper input handling mechanisms that fail to filter or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the query string parameter in the cgi-bin/script endpoint, where an attacker can inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process. This command injection vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, and more specifically aligns with CWE-94 which addresses the execution of arbitrary code or commands. The vulnerability enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to the router's command shell, potentially allowing for complete system compromise and persistent access to the network infrastructure.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security as it allows remote code execution without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and residential networks. The impact extends beyond simple command execution, as successful exploitation can lead to complete network compromise, data exfiltration, and potential use as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the network. The vulnerability affects the router's administrative functions and can be leveraged to modify router configurations, install malware, or create backdoors for future access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and script interpreter, and T1021.001 for remote services, demonstrating how the vulnerability can be used for lateral movement and persistence within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-5156 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from ASMAX or replacement of affected devices, as the manufacturer has likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs, while implementing network monitoring solutions can detect anomalous command execution patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, and organizations should implement comprehensive security testing including dynamic application security testing and static code analysis to identify similar issues. Additionally, network administrators should disable unnecessary services and ensure that router web interfaces are not accessible from untrusted networks, as this vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication credentials.