CVE-2015-2054 in Aircard 762s
Summary
by MITRE
CRLF injection vulnerability in export.cfg in the web-based administrative console for Sierra Wireless AirCard 760S, 762S, and 763S allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary headers via CRLF sequences in the save parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2018
The CVE-2015-2054 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting and header injection flaw within the web-based administrative console of Sierra Wireless AirCard 760S, 762S, and 763S devices. This vulnerability specifically targets the export.cfg configuration file processing functionality, where the device fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into HTTP response headers. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that allow malicious actors to inject carriage return line feed sequences into the save parameter, thereby manipulating the HTTP response headers. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-113, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of CRLF characters in HTTP headers, making it a direct descendant of the well-known header injection attack vectors that have plagued web applications for decades.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious request containing CRLF sequences within the save parameter of the export.cfg endpoint. These sequences, represented as %0D%0A in URL encoding, enable the injection of additional HTTP headers into the server response. When the web console processes this malformed input, it incorporates the injected headers into the response, potentially allowing attackers to redirect traffic, manipulate session cookies, or perform other malicious activities that leverage the compromised administrative interface. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient validation of user-supplied data within the web console's configuration export functionality, which fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could alter the HTTP response structure. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and specifically targets the web application security domain where HTTP header injection attacks are commonly executed.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2054 extends beyond simple header injection, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks against the affected cellular modem devices. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate the administrative console's behavior, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or injecting malicious content into the console's responses. The affected Sierra Wireless AirCard models are commonly deployed in remote monitoring and management scenarios, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical network infrastructure. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device, allowing for widespread compromise from any network location. This represents a significant security risk for organizations relying on these devices for critical communications, as the administrative console is often the primary interface for configuring device settings and managing network connections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2054 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures within the affected web console implementation. Organizations should implement strict validation of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in configuration export functions, to prevent CRLF sequence injection. The recommended approach includes proper escaping of special characters, implementing input length restrictions, and employing dedicated validation libraries that can identify and neutralize potentially malicious sequences. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the administrative console to untrusted networks. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-113 emphasizes the need for robust HTTP header sanitization practices, which should be integrated into all web application security frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous HTTP header patterns indicative of header injection attempts, as well as regularly updating firmware versions to address known vulnerabilities in the affected Sierra Wireless devices. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data in administrative interfaces.