CVE-2017-5255 in ePMP
Summary
by MITRE
In version 3.5 and prior of Cambium Networks ePMP firmware, a lack of input sanitation for certain parameters on the web management console allows any authenticated user (including the otherwise low-privilege readonly user) to inject shell meta-characters as part of a specially-crafted POST request to the get_chart function and run OS-level commands, effectively as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5255 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Cambium Networks ePMP firmware version 3.5 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web management interface, specifically affecting the get_chart function that processes POST requests. The flaw allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary operating system commands with root privileges, fundamentally compromising the security posture of affected devices.
This vulnerability operates through a classic command injection vector where the web application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into system commands. The affected get_chart function processes input data without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms, enabling attackers to inject shell metacharacters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks that are interpreted by the underlying operating system. The security implications are particularly severe because the vulnerability can be exploited by users with minimal privileges, including readonly accounts that should typically have restricted access to system functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected network equipment. Once exploited, adversaries can execute arbitrary code with root-level permissions, potentially leading to unauthorized access to network resources, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The affected devices operate in critical network infrastructure environments where such compromises could result in widespread service disruption, unauthorized network access, or complete system compromise.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88, representing command injection weaknesses that allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands through improperly sanitized input. The attack pattern follows the MITRE ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious commands. The vulnerability also maps to the privilege escalation category under ATT&CK's T1068, as it enables authenticated users to gain elevated privileges beyond their intended access levels.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to versions that address the input sanitization issues, network segmentation to limit access to management interfaces, and strict access control policies that enforce principle of least privilege. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious POST requests, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of input validation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor security oversights can result in catastrophic system compromises.