CVE-2017-0934 in EdgeOS
Summary
by MITRE
Ubiquiti Networks EdgeOS version 1.9.1 and prior suffer from an Improper Privilege Management vulnerability due to the lack of protection of the file system leading to sensitive information being exposed. An attacker with access to an operator (read-only) account could escalate privileges to admin (root) access in the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-0934 affects Ubiquiti Networks EdgeOS versions 1.9.1 and earlier, representing a critical improper privilege management flaw that undermines the system's security architecture. This vulnerability stems from insufficient file system protection mechanisms that fail to properly enforce access controls between different user roles within the operating system. The flaw specifically targets the privilege escalation process, allowing attackers with minimal access levels to gain elevated administrative privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate enforcement of privilege boundaries within the EdgeOS framework. When an attacker establishes a session with an operator account, which typically provides read-only access to system configurations and monitoring functions, the system fails to properly validate or restrict subsequent access requests. This weakness creates a pathway for privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms that should normally prevent a read-only user from accessing administrative functions or system files that contain sensitive configuration data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables full system compromise through privilege escalation. An attacker who gains access to any operator-level account can leverage this flaw to obtain root access, effectively providing complete control over the network device. This includes the ability to modify network configurations, access all system logs and credentials, install malicious software, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacks against other systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability essentially eliminates the security boundary between operator and administrator roles, creating a backdoor for unauthorized system control.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-276, which specifically addresses improper privilege management, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, privilege escalation through local exploitation. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege, where the system does not properly enforce the separation of duties between different user roles. Organizations using affected EdgeOS versions face significant risk of network compromise, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring additional authentication factors or complex attack vectors. The impact is particularly severe given that EdgeOS devices are commonly deployed in network infrastructure roles where administrative access provides extensive control over network operations and data flow.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching to versions that address the privilege management flaw, implementing network segmentation to limit access to EdgeOS devices, and establishing robust monitoring for unusual privilege escalation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough access control reviews and ensure that operator accounts are only provisioned to users who require such access for legitimate operational purposes. Regular security audits of network device configurations and privilege assignments can help identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.