CVE-2017-6229 in Unleashed AP
Summary
by MITRE
Ruckus Networks Unleashed AP firmware releases before 200.6.10.1.x and Ruckus Networks Zone Director firmware releases 10.1.0.0.x, 9.10.2.0.x, 9.12.3.0.x, 9.13.3.0.x, 10.0.1.0.x or before contain authenticated Root Command Injection in the CLI that could allow authenticated valid users to execute privileged commands on the respective systems.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6229 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Ruckus Networks Unleashed Access Point and Zone Director firmware implementations. This vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 200.6.10.1.x for Unleashed APs and multiple version ranges for Zone Director systems including 10.1.0.0.x, 9.10.2.0.x, 9.12.3.0.x, 9.13.3.0.x, and 10.0.1.0.x. The flaw exists within the Command Line Interface functionality where authenticated users can exploit a privilege escalation vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the CLI processing modules of the Ruckus firmware. When authenticated users submit commands through the CLI interface, the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied input before processing. This allows maliciously crafted input to be interpreted as command instructions rather than simple parameters, enabling attackers who have valid authentication credentials to escalate their privileges and execute privileged operations. The vulnerability manifests as a direct injection point where user input flows directly into system command execution contexts without adequate sanitization measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to network infrastructure security as it allows authenticated users to gain root access to the underlying operating systems. Network administrators who have legitimate access to these systems become potential threat actors who could exploit this weakness to execute arbitrary code, modify system configurations, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive network information. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise as compromised access points or zone directors could provide attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate wireless network policies, monitor traffic, or serve as launch points for lateral movement within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability essentially undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing authenticated users to escalate their access level to system root.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2017-6229 requires immediate firmware updates to the patched versions mentioned in the advisory. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected Ruckus Unleashed AP and Zone Director systems to versions that address this command injection vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls including disabling unnecessary CLI access, implementing strict access controls, and monitoring CLI usage for suspicious activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories related to command injection and improper input handling, while also mapping to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should conduct comprehensive network assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future.