CVE-2016-5071 in GX 440
Summary
by MITRE
Sierra Wireless GX 440 devices with ALEOS firmware 4.3.2 execute the management web application as root.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5071 affects Sierra Wireless GX 440 devices running ALEOS firmware version 4.3.2, presenting a critical privilege escalation risk within industrial networking equipment. This flaw represents a fundamental security misconfiguration where the management web application operates with root privileges, creating an inherent security weakness that directly violates principle of least privilege best practices. The device in question is designed for industrial communication and network infrastructure applications, making the exposure of root-level access particularly concerning for operational technology environments.
The technical flaw stems from improper privilege management within the device's web application execution model. When the management interface launches, it does so with elevated privileges that should be restricted to administrative functions only. This configuration allows any authenticated user who can access the web management interface to potentially leverage this root execution context for malicious activities. The vulnerability exists at the application level where process execution permissions are not properly enforced, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by both internal and external threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of industrial networks. Attackers who gain access to the device through legitimate means can immediately execute arbitrary commands with full system privileges, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical infrastructure operations. This vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-276, which addresses incorrect permissions for critical resources, and represents a classic example of insufficient privilege separation in embedded systems. The risk is amplified in industrial environments where these devices often serve as gateways or communication hubs between operational technology and information technology systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from Sierra Wireless, as the vendor would have released patches addressing the privilege escalation issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, restrict management interface access through firewalls, and employ network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Additionally, the implementation of zero trust network architecture principles would help reduce the blast radius of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this as privilege escalation through process injection or execution with elevated privileges, and organizations should consider implementing endpoint detection and response solutions to monitor for suspicious root-level process execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar privilege misconfigurations in other industrial equipment within the network infrastructure.