CVE-2010-1671 in hsolink
Summary
by MITRE
hsolinkcontrol in hsolink 1.0.118 allows local users to gain privileges via shell metacharacters in command-line arguments, as demonstrated by the second argument in a down action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1671 affects the hsolinkcontrol component within the hsolink 1.0.118 software suite, representing a critical privilege escalation flaw that enables local attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the software processes command-line arguments without proper input sanitization, creating an avenue for malicious input to be interpreted as shell commands rather than data. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates at the local privilege level, meaning an attacker who already has access to the system can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized administrative access. The vulnerability is demonstrated through the down action where the second argument contains shell metacharacters that are not properly escaped or filtered, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the targeted process. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of command injection attacks and is classified as CWE-78, which specifically addresses the improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, commonly known as OS Command Injection. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it can enable attackers to gain full control over the affected system, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or use as a foothold for further lateral movement within a network. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious command-line arguments that include shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or other special characters that the application fails to properly sanitize. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where the affected software runs with elevated privileges, as it provides a direct path to system compromise without requiring additional attack vectors or complex exploitation techniques. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and command execution, where adversaries seek to leverage weaknesses in system components to gain elevated access rights. The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the application's argument processing logic, where developers failed to implement proper escaping mechanisms for shell metacharacters. Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, proper shell escaping, and privilege separation techniques to prevent exploitation. The most effective remediation strategies involve updating to patched versions of the software, implementing proper input sanitization for all command-line arguments, and ensuring that applications run with the minimum required privileges necessary for their operation. Additionally, system administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potential command injection vulnerabilities within their environment and implement comprehensive monitoring to detect suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in applications that interact with system commands, and underscores the need for regular security assessments and code reviews to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components.