CVE-2016-7819 in TS-WRLP
Summary
by MITRE
I-O DATA DEVICE TS-WRLP firmware version 1.01.02 and earlier and TS-WRLA firmware version 1.01.02 and earlier allows an attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary OS commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7819 affects I-O DATA DEVICE TS-WRLP and TS-WRLA wireless routers running firmware versions 1.01.02 and earlier. This represents a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected devices. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the device's web interface or management protocols, creating a pathway for malicious command execution. Security researchers have classified this as a command injection vulnerability that violates fundamental security principles of input validation and access control.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input within the device's firmware management interfaces. When administrators interact with the web-based management console or submit configuration parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before processing. This allows an attacker who has already gained administrative access to inject malicious commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web server process or system administrator. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the context of an authenticated session, meaning that an attacker must first obtain administrative credentials, but once achieved, can escalate their privileges to system-level command execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7819 extends beyond simple command execution, potentially enabling full system compromise and persistent access to network infrastructure. An attacker with administrative privileges could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or exfiltrate sensitive data from within the network. The vulnerability affects network security devices that are often positioned at critical points in enterprise and home networks, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, specifically addressing command injection flaws that allow execution of arbitrary commands, and represents a significant risk to network infrastructure security. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, highlighting the potential for both initial access and privilege elevation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7819 should focus on immediate firmware updates from I-O DATA DEVICE to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and enforce strict access controls for administrative accounts. Regular security audits and network monitoring should be conducted to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing proper input validation mechanisms in network device management interfaces. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns and establish baseline network behavior to identify deviations that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify and remediate similar security flaws in other network devices.