CVE-2017-6036 in GECKO Lite Managed Switch
Summary
by MITRE
A Server-Side Request Forgery issue was discovered in Belden Hirschmann GECKO Lite Managed switch, Version 2.0.00 and prior versions. The web server receives a request, but does not sufficiently verify that the request is being sent to the expected destination.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2019
The Server-Side Request Forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6036 affects the Belden Hirschmann GECKO Lite Managed switch firmware version 2.0.00 and earlier releases. This vulnerability resides within the web server component of the network device, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized remote attackers to manipulate the device's functionality through crafted web requests. The issue stems from inadequate validation of destination addresses in server-side processing, creating a pathway for attackers to redirect requests to arbitrary internal or external systems.
This vulnerability operates as a classic SSRF attack vector where the web server fails to properly validate the target of incoming requests, allowing malicious actors to bypass normal access controls and potentially access internal network resources that should remain protected. The flaw exists in the firmware's handling of web-based administrative functions, specifically in how the server processes requests that reference external resources or internal network endpoints. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized operations against the switch itself or to probe internal network infrastructure that would normally be inaccessible from external network segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to conduct reconnaissance activities against internal systems, potentially leading to further network compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive administrative functions, modify device configurations, or use the switch as a pivot point to attack other systems within the same network segment. The vulnerability affects the device's web interface security model, undermining the trust boundaries that should exist between the network administrator's access point and the underlying network infrastructure.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses Server-Side Request Forgery, and maps to attack techniques within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 category for Application Layer Protocol: DNS. The vulnerability represents a significant risk to industrial network security, particularly in environments where managed switches serve as critical network infrastructure components. Organizations utilizing affected Belden Hirschmann GECKO Lite switches should prioritize immediate remediation through firmware updates, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous in unsecured network environments.
Mitigation strategies should include implementing network segmentation to isolate critical network infrastructure, applying the latest firmware updates from Belden Hirschmann to address the vulnerability, and configuring network access controls to restrict web interface access to trusted administrative networks only. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous web requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, while network administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected network devices within their infrastructure that may share similar security flaws.