CVE-2017-18369 in Billion 5200W-T
Summary
by MITRE
The Billion 5200W-T 1.02b.rc5.dt49 router distributed by TrueOnline has a command injection vulnerability in the Remote System Log forwarding function, which is accessible by an unauthenticated user. The vulnerability is in the adv_remotelog.asp page and can be exploited through the syslogServerAddr parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2023
The CVE-2017-18369 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in the Billion 5200W-T 1.02b.rc5.dt49 router firmware distributed by TrueOnline. This vulnerability exists within the Remote System Log forwarding functionality, which is designed to forward system logs to external servers for monitoring and analysis purposes. The affected component resides in the adv_remotelog.asp web page interface, making it accessible through standard web browser interactions. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the syslogServerAddr parameter, which controls the destination address for remote log forwarding. This flaw allows an attacker to inject arbitrary commands into the router's operating system, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the router's web interface. When an unauthenticated user submits a malicious value through the syslogServerAddr parameter, the router fails to properly sanitize the input before processing it within the system shell. This creates a classic command injection scenario where attacker-controlled commands can be executed with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with administrative or root-level access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the router's web interface. This aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89 categories, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected router and potentially the entire local network. Once exploited, an attacker can modify router configurations, redirect network traffic, establish persistent backdoors, or use the router as a pivot point to launch attacks against other systems within the network. The remote log forwarding functionality, which is typically used for legitimate network monitoring purposes, becomes a vector for malicious activity. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1021.001 Remote Services. The compromised router can serve as a command and control center, enabling further network reconnaissance and lateral movement activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the remote log forwarding feature if not actively required, applying firmware updates from the vendor when available, and implementing network segmentation to isolate affected devices. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strengthened through firewall rules that restrict access to the router's web interface to trusted networks only. Additionally, regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning of network devices to identify similar command injection vulnerabilities in other router models and network infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for secure coding practices in embedded systems. Organizations must also consider the broader implications of unpatched network infrastructure devices, as these often serve as entry points for more sophisticated attacks.