CVE-2014-2046 in PIPA C211
Summary
by MITRE
cgi-bin/rpcBridge in the web interface 1.1 on Broadcom Ltd PIPA C211 rev2 does not properly restrict access, which allows remote attackers to (1) obtain credentials and other sensitive information via a certain request to the config.getValuesHashExcludePaths method or (2) modify the firmware via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2046 affects the web interface version 1.1 of Broadcom Ltd PIPA C211 rev2 devices, specifically targeting the cgi-bin/rpcBridge component. This issue represents a critical access control flaw that undermines the security posture of network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability resides within the remote procedure call bridge implementation that handles administrative requests, creating an attack surface where unauthorized parties can exploit improper access restrictions. The affected device operates with a web-based management interface that fails to adequately validate or authenticate incoming requests to sensitive system functions.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the rpcBridge component. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific requests to the config.getValuesHashExcludePaths method, which bypasses normal authentication procedures and grants unauthorized access to sensitive configuration data. This method appears to lack proper authorization checks, allowing remote attackers to extract credentials and other confidential information from the device's configuration. Additionally, the vulnerability enables modification of firmware through unspecified vectors, suggesting that the access control mechanisms are so weak that they permit not only data extraction but also potentially destructive operations that could compromise device integrity and network security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe for organizations relying on PIPA C211 devices for network infrastructure management. Remote attackers can gain access to administrative credentials and configuration details without requiring physical access or legitimate authentication, effectively providing them with complete control over the device's operations. The ability to modify firmware through unspecified vectors poses additional risks including potential device compromise, network disruption, and unauthorized access to connected systems. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the device's security architecture, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such devices often serve as network gateways or management points.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate access control hardening and network segmentation approaches. Organizations should implement strict network access controls using firewalls to restrict access to the affected web interface, limiting access to trusted administrative networks only. Device firmware updates should be applied immediately if available from Broadcom, though this particular vulnerability may require vendor-specific patches or configuration changes to properly address the rpcBridge access control issues. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in requests to the cgi-bin/rpcBridge endpoint, particularly those targeting the config.getValuesHashExcludePaths method. Security teams should also consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues and represents a significant concern for ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it allows adversaries to gain unauthorized access through legitimate administrative interfaces. The remediation approach must address both the immediate access control weakness and broader network security posture improvements to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other system components.