CVE-2017-7318 in EtherHaul
Summary
by MITRE
Siklu EtherHaul devices before 7.4.0 are vulnerable to a remote command execution (RCE) vulnerability. This vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute commands and retrieve information such as usernames and plaintext passwords from the device with no authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2022
The CVE-2017-7318 vulnerability represents a critical remote command execution flaw in Siklu EtherHaul network devices prior to firmware version 7.4.0. This vulnerability resides in the device's web interface handling mechanism, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed with elevated privileges. The flaw specifically affects the device's authentication bypass capabilities, enabling unauthenticated remote attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected systems. The vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input parameters within the web management interface, creating a pathway for arbitrary code execution that can be exploited from any network location without requiring valid credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection flaws that permit attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to executing system commands, accessing sensitive configuration data, retrieving stored credentials, and establishing persistent access to the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it operates entirely outside the normal authentication mechanisms, meaning that any remote attacker can exploit it regardless of their credentials or network position. The system's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters allows attackers to manipulate the device's command processing pipeline, effectively bypassing all security controls that would normally prevent unauthorized access.
From an operational standpoint, the implications of CVE-2017-7318 extend far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of entire network infrastructures. Network administrators face the risk of complete device compromise, enabling attackers to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or establish backdoors for continued access. The retrieval of plaintext credentials from the device creates additional attack vectors, as these credentials can be used to access other network systems, applications, or services that rely on the same authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1078 for valid accounts, as attackers can leverage the compromised device to move laterally within the network. The exposure of usernames and passwords in plaintext format also violates security best practices and can lead to credential reuse attacks across multiple systems within the organization's infrastructure.
Organizations must implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability, including upgrading all affected Siklu EtherHaul devices to firmware version 7.4.0 or later. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of such compromises, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and authentication mechanisms in network device security. The incident highlights the necessity of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing robust security controls to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities that can lead to complete system compromise.