CVE-2017-18378 in ReadyNAS Surveillance
Summary
by MITRE
In NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance before 1.4.3-17 x86 and before 1.1.4-7 ARM, $_GET['uploaddir'] is not escaped and is passed to system() through $tmp_upload_dir, leading to upgrade_handle.php?cmd=writeuploaddir remote command execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18378 affects NETGEAR ReadyNAS Surveillance software versions prior to 1.4.3-17 for x86 platforms and 1.1.4-7 for ARM architectures. This represents a critical remote command execution flaw that stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the upgrade_handle.php script. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of the $_GET['uploaddir'] parameter which is directly incorporated into system() function calls without appropriate escaping or sanitization measures.
The technical flaw manifests through a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled input flows directly into the system() function call. The parameter $_GET['uploaddir'] is extracted from HTTP GET requests and subsequently assigned to $tmp_upload_dir variable before being passed to system() function. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject arbitrary commands that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in system commands, specifically targeting the dangerous practice of concatenating user input directly into shell commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device without requiring authentication. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to gain full control over the surveillance system, potentially leading to unauthorized access to video feeds, modification of system configurations, or even use of the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The attack surface is particularly concerning for network surveillance equipment as these devices often contain sensitive security footage and may be deployed in environments with limited network segmentation.
The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which describes execution of system commands through command and scripting interpreter. This allows adversaries to execute malicious code directly on the target system and could potentially lead to privilege escalation or lateral movement within the network. The lack of input sanitization creates a direct path for attackers to manipulate the system behavior through crafted HTTP requests. Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation to limit access to surveillance systems and ensure that all affected devices are updated to the patched versions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as input validation, parameterized queries, and proper output encoding to prevent similar issues in future deployments.