CVE-2017-10934 in ZXIPTV-EPG
Summary
by MITRE
All versions prior to V5.09.02.02T4 of the ZTE ZXIPTV-EPG product use the Java RMI service in which the servers use the Apache Commons Collections (ACC) library that may result in Java deserialization vulnerabilities. An unauthenticated remote attacker can exploit the vulnerabilities by sending a crafted RMI request to execute arbitrary code on the target host.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10934 affects ZTE ZXIPTV-EPG products running versions prior to V5.09.02.02T4, representing a critical security flaw that stems from improper implementation of Java Remote Method Invocation services. This vulnerability specifically leverages the Apache Commons Collections library, which has historically been a frequent target for exploitation due to its widespread use in enterprise applications. The flaw exists within the server-side processing of RMI requests, where the system fails to properly validate incoming serialized data before deserializing it, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-502, which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" as a critical weakness that enables attackers to manipulate serialized objects during the deserialization process. When an attacker sends a specially crafted RMI request containing malicious serialized data, the system's Java runtime environment attempts to deserialize this data without adequate validation, allowing the attacker to inject and execute arbitrary code on the target host. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it an ideal candidate for automated exploitation and remote code execution attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it allows attackers to gain complete control over affected ZTE ZXIPTV-EPG servers. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without any prior authentication, meaning that attackers can potentially compromise entire IPTV infrastructure deployments without requiring physical access or valid credentials. This creates significant risks for service providers and network operators who rely on these systems for content delivery and user management. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over standard network protocols, making detection difficult and exploitation straightforward for threat actors familiar with Java deserialization attack patterns.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python" and T1078.004 for "Valid Accounts: Cloud Accounts" when considering the potential for privilege escalation and lateral movement once initial access is achieved. The vulnerability also aligns with T1210 "Exploitation of Remote Services" and T1499.004 "Endpoint Denial of Service" as it provides attackers with both code execution capabilities and potential for service disruption. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to affected systems and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious RMI traffic patterns. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to ZTE product version V5.09.02.02T4 or later, which includes patches addressing the deserialization vulnerability, along with implementing proper network controls and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.