CVE-2014-9118 in zNID GPON 2426A
Summary
by MITRE
The web administrative portal in Zhone zNID GPON 2426A before S3.0.501 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the ipAddr parameter to zhnping.cmd.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9118 affects the Zhone zNID GPON 2426A device running firmware versions prior to S3.0.501. This represents a critical command injection flaw within the device's web administrative portal that exposes the system to remote exploitation. The vulnerability specifically resides in the zhnping.cmd endpoint where the ipAddr parameter is processed without adequate input validation or sanitization. This allows malicious actors to inject shell metacharacters that are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system, potentially granting full administrative control over the device.
The technical flaw constitutes a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command. The vulnerability exists because the web portal fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands. When an attacker submits shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks through the ipAddr parameter, these characters are interpreted by the shell and executed with the privileges of the web application process. This creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution that can be leveraged to escalate privileges, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access to the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables remote attackers to execute commands on the affected device without requiring authentication. This exposure allows for complete compromise of the GPON modem, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate network traffic, redirect calls, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects not only the device itself but also the broader network infrastructure it manages, as the zNID GPON 2426A serves as a critical access point for fiber-to-the-home services. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for service providers and end users who may not be aware of the compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates to version S3.0.501 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the command injection flaw. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing robust input validation at the application level, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1071.004 for application layer protocol, as it exploits web-based interfaces to execute system commands through shell metacharacter injection. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive network monitoring to detect unauthorized access or command execution activities.