CVE-2014-8423 in VAP2500
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the management portal in ARRIS VAP2500 before FW08.41 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via unknown vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8423 affects the management portal of ARRIS VAP2500 wireless access point devices running firmware versions prior to FW08.41. This represents a critical security flaw that exposes the device to remote command execution attacks, potentially allowing unauthorized attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected hardware. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that the underlying flaw may involve multiple attack surfaces within the device's management interface implementation. The vulnerability specifically targets the web-based management portal that administrators use to configure and monitor the wireless access point, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent access to network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of remote code execution flaws that can be exploited without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who rely on these devices for wireless network management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves improper input validation or sanitization within the web management portal's backend processing components. Attackers can leverage this flaw through the management portal interface to inject malicious commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability may stem from insecure direct object references, inadequate parameter validation, or buffer overflow conditions within the device's web application framework. Such flaws typically arise when developers fail to properly validate or sanitize user inputs before processing them within the application context, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through crafted requests. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the management portal is often accessible over the network, potentially allowing remote exploitation from outside the local network perimeter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete network compromise and potential data exfiltration. Once an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary commands on the device, potentially leading to persistent backdoor installation, network scanning, or redirection of traffic through the compromised access point. The vulnerability affects the core management functionality of the device, which means that network administrators may lose visibility into their wireless infrastructure while attackers maintain covert control. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where wireless access points serve as critical network components for user authentication, network segmentation, and access control. The potential for lateral movement within the network increases significantly as attackers can use the compromised device as a pivot point to target other network resources. The vulnerability also represents a failure in the principle of least privilege, as the management portal should only allow authorized administrative functions while maintaining strict access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8423 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions that address the identified vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to isolate wireless access points from critical network segments and apply network access control lists to restrict management portal access. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling unnecessary management services and ports when not actively required for configuration purposes. Security hardening measures including regular vulnerability assessments, proper access control implementation, and network intrusion detection systems provide additional layers of defense. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories related to command injection flaws and improper input validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving remote access tools, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure software development practices, proper input validation, and regular security assessments to prevent similar issues in network infrastructure devices. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all network equipment.