CVE-2016-10312 in Air:Link 3G
Summary
by MITRE
Jensen of Scandinavia AS Air:Link 3G (AL3G) version 2.23m (Rev. 3), Air:Link 5000AC (AL5000AC) version 1.13, and Air:Link 59300 (AL59300) version 1.04 (Rev. 4) devices allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters to certain /goform/* pages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2020
This vulnerability affects multiple models of Air:Link wireless communication devices manufactured by Jensen of Scandinavia AS, specifically the Air:Link 3G AL3G version 2.23m, Air:Link 5000AC version 1.13, and Air:Link 59300 version 1.04. The devices are susceptible to remote command execution through improper input validation in their web-based management interfaces. Attackers can exploit this weakness by injecting shell metacharacters into specific URL parameters that map to /goform/* pages, which are typically used for device configuration and management functions.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input within the web application layer of these devices. When the affected devices process requests containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks in parameters passed to the /goform/* endpoints, they fail to properly validate or escape these inputs before executing system commands. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that falls under CWE-77, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands. The vulnerability exists because the web interface directly incorporates user input into system command execution without proper filtering or encoding mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to gain full control over the affected devices without requiring authentication. An attacker can execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete device compromise, data exfiltration, or use of the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in industrial and commercial environments where wireless connectivity is required, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to critical infrastructure. This weakness can be exploited from outside the network perimeter, as the web interface is accessible over the internet, and the attack vector requires no prior authentication credentials.
Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical network segments and apply firmware updates from the vendor when available. Network monitoring should include detection of suspicious command execution patterns and unusual traffic patterns to the /goform/* endpoints. The mitigation strategy should also include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and implementing firewall rules that restrict access to these management ports. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically through the use of shell commands. The attack surface can be reduced by implementing web application firewalls that filter out known malicious patterns and by conducting regular security assessments of industrial control systems to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other networked devices.