CVE-2016-5679 in ReadyNAS Surveillance
Summary
by MITRE
cgi-bin/cgi_main in NUUO NVRmini 2 1.7.6 through 3.0.0 and NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance 1.1.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands via shell metacharacters in the sn parameter to the transfer_license command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5679 represents a critical command injection flaw within the web interface of NUUO NVRmini 2 devices running firmware versions 1.7.6 through 3.0.0 and NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance software version 1.1.2. This vulnerability exists in the cgi-bin/cgi_main component which processes administrative requests through the transfer_license command. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, specifically the sn parameter that is used to transfer device licenses. Attackers who have authenticated access to the system can exploit this weakness by injecting shell metacharacters into the sn parameter, thereby enabling arbitrary command execution on the underlying operating system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script interpreter execution. The security implications are severe as authenticated attackers can escalate their privileges and potentially gain full system control.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a maliciously crafted HTTP request to the transfer_license endpoint within the cgi-bin interface. When the sn parameter contains shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, these characters are not properly escaped or filtered before being processed by the system's command execution engine. This allows attackers to inject additional commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process, typically running as root or a privileged user. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires only authenticated access, which is often easier to obtain through credential compromise or social engineering attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of proper sanitization of all user inputs before they are processed by system commands. Network traffic analysis reveals that the attack can be conducted through standard HTTP requests, making it difficult to detect through simple network monitoring without deep packet inspection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete system compromise and potential data exfiltration. An attacker with authenticated access can execute commands such as creating new user accounts, modifying system files, installing backdoors, or extracting sensitive information from the surveillance system. The affected devices are typically deployed in security-critical environments such as enterprise offices, retail stores, and industrial facilities where surveillance footage contains sensitive operational data. The vulnerability affects both network-attached storage devices and network video recorders, making it particularly concerning for organizations that rely on these systems for security monitoring. Organizations using these devices may experience unauthorized access to their surveillance footage, potential disruption of security operations, and possible data breaches that could compromise physical security infrastructure. The vulnerability also poses risks to network integrity as attackers could potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network perimeter.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5679 should focus on immediate firmware updates from both NUUO and NETGEAR vendors, as these companies have released patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices to only authorized personnel and critical network segments. Access controls must be strengthened through multi-factor authentication and role-based access restrictions to minimize the attack surface. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual command execution patterns and parameter injection attempts. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar flaws in other networked devices. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust security practices for all networked devices, particularly those handling sensitive data or serving as security infrastructure components. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and monitoring for anomalous behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts.