CVE-2014-9134 in Honor Cube Wireless Router WS860s Firewall
Summary
by MITRE
Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Huawei Honor Cube Wireless Router WS860s before V100R001C02B222 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by uploading a file with an executable extension, then accessing it via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2018
The CVE-2014-9134 vulnerability represents a critical unrestricted file upload flaw in Huawei Honor Cube Wireless Router WS860s devices running firmware versions prior to V100R001C02B222. This vulnerability falls under the category of insecure file handling within network infrastructure devices, creating a significant attack surface that adversaries can exploit to gain unauthorized access and execute malicious code. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the router's web interface, which fails to properly restrict file types that can be uploaded to the device's file system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows remote attackers to bypass security controls by uploading malicious files with executable extensions such as .exe, .bat, or .sh to the router's file system. Once uploaded, these files can be executed through unspecified vectors that typically involve accessing the uploaded files via web requests or direct system calls. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer of the network stack, where the router's web server processes user requests without proper validation of file content or extensions. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-434 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type, which directly maps to the ATT&CK framework's technique T1195 for Content Injection and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise of the affected router. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install backdoors, modify router configurations, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability affects not just the individual device but potentially the entire network infrastructure it protects, as routers serve as critical gateways for network communication. The lack of proper file type restrictions means that even legitimate users could inadvertently compromise the device if they upload malicious files through compromised accounts or if the device is accessed by unauthorized personnel. Additionally, the unspecified vectors for accessing uploaded files suggest that multiple attack paths exist, potentially including direct system calls, web-based execution, or even cross-protocol exploitation methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9134 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions from Huawei, which typically include enhanced file validation mechanisms and proper input sanitization. Network administrators should implement additional security controls such as network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure from potentially compromised devices, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload activities. The principle of least privilege should be applied by restricting web interface access to only authorized personnel and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. Regular security audits should verify that file upload mechanisms are properly configured and that no unauthorized files exist on the router's file system. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious file upload requests before they reach the router's web interface, and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular firmware updates and proper security configuration management in network infrastructure devices, as these routers often operate with elevated privileges and serve as central points of failure in network security architectures.