CVE-2010-5330 in Ubiquiti
Summary
by MITRE
On certain Ubiquiti devices, Command Injection exists via a GET request to stainfo.cgi (aka Show AP info) because the ifname variable is not sanitized, as demonstrated by shell metacharacters. The fixed version is v4.0.1 for 802.11 ISP products, v5.3.5 for AirMax ISP products, and v5.4.5 for AirSync firmware. For example, Nanostation5 (Air OS) is affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/19/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in Ubiquiti networking equipment that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the stainfo.cgi script which handles GET requests for accessing access point information. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation where the ifname parameter is not properly sanitized before being processed by the system. This oversight creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject shell metacharacters that get interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability affects multiple Ubiquiti product lines including 802.11 ISP products, AirMax ISP products, and AirSync firmware, with specific version requirements for remediation. The impact is particularly severe given that these devices typically operate in network infrastructure roles where unauthorized command execution can lead to complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code injection weaknesses respectively. Attackers can craft malicious GET requests containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks that get passed directly to system commands without proper sanitization. This allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web server process, typically running as root or a privileged user. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in network infrastructure contexts where these devices often serve as gateways, routers, or access points that control network traffic flow and security policies. The affected Nanostation5 (Air OS) device represents a common target in wireless networking deployments where such vulnerabilities can provide attackers with persistent access to network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to encompass full system compromise and potential network infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain root access to the device, allowing them to modify network configurations, install backdoors, monitor traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access or network credentials to initiate the attack, making it particularly dangerous in environments where network security is paramount. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK techniques involving command and control communications, privilege escalation, and persistent threats. The affected devices typically run embedded operating systems that may lack modern security mitigations such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, or other exploit prevention mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to the specified versions including v4.0.1 for 802.11 ISP products, v5.3.5 for AirMax ISP products, and v5.4.5 for AirSync firmware. Network administrators should prioritize patching affected devices and implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests, monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and sanitization in web applications, particularly in embedded systems where security considerations may be overlooked during development. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and privilege separation to limit the damage that could result from successful exploitation, while maintaining proper network monitoring to detect and respond to potential attacks.