CVE-2012-5969 in E585u-82
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities on the Huawei E585 device allow remote attackers to (1) read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the PATH_INFO of an sdcard/ request or (2) modify arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the req_page parameter to en/sms.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/12/2024
The CVE-2012-5969 vulnerability affects Huawei E585 devices and represents a critical directory traversal flaw that enables remote attackers to access and manipulate system files through improperly validated input parameters. This vulnerability resides within the web interface of the device and demonstrates a fundamental lack of input sanitization in the handling of file paths and request parameters. The issue manifests in two distinct attack vectors that leverage the .. (dot dot) sequence to navigate outside the intended directory boundaries, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of the PATH_INFO parameter in sdcard/ requests and the req_page parameter in en/sms.cgi endpoints. When these parameters contain directory traversal sequences, the device fails to properly sanitize the input before processing file operations. This allows attackers to craft malicious requests that can traverse the file system hierarchy and access files that should remain restricted to authorized users or system processes. The vulnerability is classified as a directory traversal attack pattern that aligns with CWE-22, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory. The weakness occurs at the input validation layer where the system accepts user-supplied data without adequate filtering or normalization before using it in file operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with unauthorized access to sensitive system files and the ability to modify critical components of the device. Remote attackers can potentially read configuration files, system logs, user data, and other confidential information stored on the device. Additionally, the ability to modify arbitrary files through the sms.cgi endpoint could allow for complete system compromise, including the installation of malicious code or the modification of system behavior. This vulnerability essentially provides a backdoor access mechanism that bypasses normal authentication and authorization controls, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where the device may be accessible from external networks. The attack can be executed without requiring any special privileges or authentication credentials, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5969 should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms throughout the device's web interface. The most effective approach involves implementing strict parameter validation that rejects any input containing directory traversal sequences or special characters that could be used to manipulate file paths. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block such malicious patterns before they reach the vulnerable application layer. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the damage that can be caused by successful exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security updates and patches, as Huawei would have needed to address this issue in subsequent firmware releases. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1566 (Phishing) as attackers could use the compromised device as a foothold for further network infiltration. Network segmentation and monitoring of suspicious file access patterns can help detect exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments can identify similar vulnerabilities in other networked devices and applications.