CVE-2016-5068 in GX 440
Summary
by MITRE
Sierra Wireless GX 440 devices with ALEOS firmware 4.3.2 do not require authentication for Embedded_Ace_Get_Task.cgi requests.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5068 affects Sierra Wireless GX 440 devices running ALEOS firmware version 4.3.2, representing a critical security flaw in embedded network infrastructure equipment. This issue stems from the absence of authentication requirements for specific CGI (Common Gateway Interface) requests, specifically targeting the Embedded_Ace_Get_Task.cgi endpoint. The device in question operates within industrial and telecommunications environments where secure remote access is paramount for network operations and device management.
The technical flaw manifests as an authentication bypass vulnerability that allows unauthorized users to access sensitive system information and potentially manipulate device operations through the unauthenticated CGI interface. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring valid credentials or privileged access. The vulnerability exists at the application layer of the device's web interface, where the embedded web server fails to properly validate user authentication status before processing requests to the task management CGI endpoint.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to device configuration parameters, task scheduling information, and potentially execute arbitrary commands on the affected equipment. In industrial environments where these devices may control critical network infrastructure, such an access point could lead to service disruption, data compromise, or even physical security breaches. The vulnerability affects the device's ability to maintain secure communications and could facilitate lateral movement within network environments where these devices are deployed.
Organizations utilizing Sierra Wireless GX 440 devices should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and implementation of additional access controls such as IP filtering or reverse proxies. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of remote services. Security teams should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure proper access controls are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to embedded web interfaces. The lack of authentication for critical system functions represents a fundamental failure in the device's security architecture that requires immediate remediation to prevent potential exploitation by threat actors targeting industrial control systems.