CVE-2017-2152 in WNC01WH
Summary
by MITRE
WNC01WH firmware 1.0.0.9 and earlier allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2152 affects the WNC01WH wireless networking device firmware version 1.0.0.9 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the device's firmware implementation, creating a command injection vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers who have already gained authentication access to the device. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated users submit malicious input through unspecified vectors within the device's management interface or API endpoints. These vectors likely involve parameters or fields that are directly passed to underlying operating system commands without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject additional commands that execute with the privileges of the device's administrative account. The authentication requirement means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, typically through credential stuffing, brute force attacks, or social engineering tactics, before they can leverage this command injection capability. This vulnerability represents a significant escalation path from a simple authentication compromise to full system control, as the attacker can execute arbitrary commands such as spawning shells, modifying system files, or establishing persistence mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a severe risk to network security and device integrity. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain complete control over the affected wireless networking device, potentially using it as a foothold for further lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The compromised device could serve as a pivot point for attacking other network segments, or the attacker might use it to establish command and control channels for exfiltrating sensitive data. The vulnerability also impacts the device's availability and reliability, as arbitrary command execution could potentially disrupt normal device operations or cause system instability. Organizations using affected WNC01WH devices face significant exposure to data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations, particularly in environments where these devices are deployed in critical infrastructure or sensitive network environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2152 should focus on immediate firmware updates from the vendor, which would include proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent command injection attacks. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and authentication measures, including multi-factor authentication, to reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access. Regular security audits and network monitoring should be conducted to detect suspicious activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's command and control techniques where adversaries establish persistence and maintain access through compromised network devices. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact if such vulnerabilities are exploited in their environments.