CVE-2013-4731 in WIXFMR-111
Summary
by MITRE
ajax.cgi in the web interface on the Choice Wireless Green Packet WIXFMR-111 4G WiMax modem allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the pip parameter in an Ajax tag_ipPing request, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-3581.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2024
The CVE-2013-4731 vulnerability affects the Choice Wireless Green Packet WIXFMR-111 4G WiMax modem, specifically targeting its web interface component known as ajax.cgi. This device represents a critical infrastructure component in wireless communication networks, serving as a gateway for mobile broadband services. The vulnerability manifests within the modem's web administration interface where the ajax.cgi script processes Ajax tag_ipPing requests. This particular implementation fails to properly sanitize user input parameters, creating a dangerous attack surface that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted shell metacharacters.
The technical flaw resides in the improper handling of the pip parameter within the Ajax tag_ipPing request structure. When an attacker submits a request containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks within the pip parameter, the ajax.cgi script fails to validate or escape these characters before processing. This lack of input sanitization creates a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under the CWE-77 category, specifically representing a weakness in which a program uses external input to construct shell commands without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2013-3581, indicating that while both affect the same device model, they exploit different code paths within the web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected modem with the privileges of the web interface user. This capability enables attackers to gain full administrative control over the device, potentially leading to complete network compromise. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform various malicious activities including but not limited to modifying network configurations, intercepting communications, redirecting traffic, or using the modem as a pivot point to attack other devices within the local network. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access to the device, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for critical infrastructure deployments.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments or links that could be used to deliver payloads. The vulnerability represents a critical security gap that violates fundamental principles of secure coding practices, specifically the requirement for input validation and output encoding. Organizations deploying such modems should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs, particularly for industrial control systems and network infrastructure devices that may not receive timely security updates.