CVE-2017-5263 in cnPilot
Summary
by MITRE
Versions 4.3.2-R4 and prior of Cambium Networks cnPilot firmware lack CSRF controls that can mitigate the effects of CSRF attacks, which are most typically implemented as randomized per-session tokens associated with any web application function, especially destructive ones.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2019
The CVE-2017-5263 vulnerability affects Cambium Networks cnPilot firmware versions 4.3.2-R4 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of web-based administrative interfaces. This vulnerability stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within the firmware's web administration portal, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors who seek to exploit the device's administrative functions without proper authorization. The lack of CSRF controls means that authenticated users who visit malicious websites or are tricked into clicking compromised links could unknowingly trigger administrative actions on the affected cnPilot devices. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, where the absence of proper validation tokens allows attackers to perform unauthorized operations on behalf of legitimate users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the firmware's session management and request validation processes. When administrators access the cnPilot web interface, the system should validate that each request originates from a legitimate session and contains appropriate tokens to prevent unauthorized modifications. However, the affected firmware versions fail to implement these essential protections, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated user, could result in destructive operations such as configuration changes, firmware updates, or access control modifications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the most commonly used web-based administrative functions, which are typically designed to be highly privileged and capable of making system-wide changes.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5263 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to perform potentially devastating operations on network infrastructure devices. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could modify network configurations, disable security features, or even install malicious firmware versions on the affected devices. This capability provides attackers with persistent access to the network and could lead to complete network compromise, especially in environments where cnPilot devices serve as core network infrastructure components. The vulnerability's exploitation requires social engineering to convince administrators to visit malicious sites, but once successful, it provides attackers with administrative control over the affected devices. This scenario places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion categories, where attackers can maintain persistent access while avoiding detection through legitimate administrative activities.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to versions that include proper CSRF protection mechanisms, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and enhanced monitoring of administrative activities for unusual patterns. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and conducting security awareness training to reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive security controls that protect against both direct exploitation attempts and indirect attack vectors that leverage human factors. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, ensuring that security controls remain effective against evolving threat landscapes and maintaining compliance with industry standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 for information security management.