CVE-2017-15620 in WVR
Summary
by MITRE
TP-Link WVR, WAR and ER devices allow remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary commands via command injection in the new-zone variable in the ipmac_import.lua file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15620 affects TP-Link WVR WAR and ER series network devices, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the ipmac_import.lua file where the new-zone variable is processed without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an exploitable path for malicious command execution. The flaw specifically targets the device's administrative interface, where authenticated users can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized control over the network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user-supplied input within the ipmac_import.lua script, which processes network zone configurations. When an authenticated administrator submits data containing malicious commands through the new-zone parameter, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before processing, allowing attackers to inject operating system commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability that aligns with CWE-77 and follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it requires only authenticated access, meaning that attackers who have obtained administrative credentials can exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges or execute arbitrary operations on the device.
The operational implications of this vulnerability are severe for network security infrastructure, as it allows attackers to gain full control over affected TP-Link devices and potentially compromise the entire network segment they protect. An attacker could execute commands to modify firewall rules, redirect traffic, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors within the network. The vulnerability affects multiple device models including WVR, WAR, and ER series, indicating a widespread impact across TP-Link's enterprise networking portfolio. This flaw creates a significant risk for organizations relying on these devices for network security, as it undermines the integrity of the administrative interface and could lead to complete network compromise. The attack vector requires only network access and valid administrative credentials, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access might be compromised through credential theft or social engineering attacks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched firmware versions released by TP-Link, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and monitoring for suspicious activity in administrative logs. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary administrative access and implementing multi-factor authentication for privileged accounts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly when processing user-supplied data in network device management interfaces. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and ensure that proper access controls are in place to minimize the risk of exploitation. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns may help identify potential exploitation attempts before they result in successful compromises.