CVE-2017-9135 in Client Radios
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Mimosa Client Radios before 2.2.4 and Mimosa Backhaul Radios before 2.2.4. On the backend of the device's web interface, there are some diagnostic tests available that are not displayed on the webpage; these are only accessible by crafting a POST request with a program like cURL. There is one test accessible via cURL that does not properly sanitize user input, allowing an attacker to execute shell commands as the root user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9135 affects Mimosa Client Radios and Mimosa Backhaul Radios firmware versions prior to 2.2.4, representing a critical security flaw in network infrastructure equipment. This issue manifests as an insecure direct object reference vulnerability that allows unauthorized command execution through the device's web interface backend. The flaw specifically impacts the diagnostic testing functionality that remains hidden from normal user interface access but can be reached through direct API manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting specially formatted POST requests to access diagnostic endpoints that are not exposed through the standard web interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within one of these diagnostic tests, where user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized before being processed. This insufficient sanitization creates a command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands with root privileges on the affected devices. The flaw directly maps to CWE-77 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, and CWE-20 which covers improper input validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over affected network equipment. Once exploited, an attacker can gain root access to perform actions such as modifying network configurations, accessing sensitive data, installing malicious software, or using the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects wireless networking infrastructure that many organizations rely on for critical communications, potentially leading to widespread network disruption and data compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9135 primarily involve updating affected devices to firmware versions 2.2.4 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input sanitization issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, restrict direct device access from untrusted networks, and monitor for unusual network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute commands and gain access to systems. Network administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious POST requests targeting diagnostic endpoints.