CVE-2017-5259 in cnPilot
Summary
by MITRE
In versions 4.3.2-R4 and prior of Cambium Networks cnPilot firmware, an undocumented, root-privilege administration web shell is available using the HTTP path https://<device-ip-or-hostname>/adm/syscmd.asp.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5259 represents a critical security flaw in Cambium Networks cnPilot firmware versions 4.3.2-R4 and earlier. This issue manifests as an undocumented administrative web shell that provides unauthorized root-level access to affected devices through a specifically crafted HTTP endpoint. The web shell operates through the path https://<device-ip-or-hostname>/adm/syscmd.asp, bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and exposing systems to potential compromise. This vulnerability fundamentally undermines the security posture of network infrastructure devices by creating a persistent backdoor that remains hidden from standard security assessments and user awareness.
The technical implementation of this flaw involves the inclusion of a hardcoded administrative interface within the firmware that operates without proper authentication or authorization checks. This web shell executes system commands with root privileges, enabling attackers to perform any action available to the system administrator. The vulnerability is classified as a backdoor mechanism that violates fundamental security principles and represents a failure in secure software development practices. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-255: Credentials in Configuration Files and CWE-798: Use of Hard-coded Credentials, as the web shell contains hardcoded administrative access that remains persistent across device reboots and firmware updates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected network infrastructure devices. An attacker who discovers this web shell can execute arbitrary commands, modify system configurations, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The presence of this backdoor significantly increases the attack surface and can lead to persistent threats that remain undetected for extended periods. The vulnerability affects network security monitoring systems and incident response procedures, as it operates outside normal security controls and authentication mechanisms that organizations typically implement.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices, disabling the vulnerable web shell through firmware updates, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their network infrastructure. The recommended remediation involves updating to firmware versions that eliminate the backdoor functionality and implementing network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify access to the specific URL path associated with the vulnerability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK techniques such as T1078: Valid Accounts and T1566: Phishing, as it provides unauthorized access that can be leveraged for further network infiltration and data exfiltration operations.