CVE-2018-0626 in WG1200HP
Summary
by MITRE
Aterm WG1200HP firmware Ver1.0.31 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary OS commands via sysCmd in formWsc parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0626 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Aterm WG1200HP wireless router firmware versions 1.0.31 and earlier. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the web interface administration system, specifically affecting the formWsc parameter processing. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as a command injection weakness, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into operating system commands without proper sanitization or encoding. Attackers with administrative credentials can exploit this flaw by manipulating the sysCmd parameter within the formWsc field to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web-based administration interface of the router, where the sysCmd parameter is processed without adequate security controls. When an authenticated administrator submits a malicious payload through the formWsc parameter, the firmware fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before passing it to underlying system commands. This allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the router's administrative account, effectively providing complete control over the device's operational environment. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative access, which is often obtained through default credentials or social engineering attacks, making the exploitation path relatively accessible to threat actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Once exploited, adversaries can modify router configurations, install malicious software, redirect network traffic, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects network security posture significantly since wireless routers serve as critical entry points for many organizations and residential networks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, enabling attackers to achieve persistent access and lateral movement within compromised networks. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where these devices may be used as network gateways, potentially allowing attackers to gain access to internal network resources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0626 primarily focus on firmware updates and access control measures. Organizations should immediately upgrade to firmware versions that address this vulnerability, as Aterm has released patches to resolve the command injection flaw. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls, including disabling unnecessary web interfaces, enforcing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly changing default administrative credentials. Additional protective measures include network segmentation to limit access to router management interfaces, implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious parameter submissions, and conducting regular security audits of network infrastructure devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization in embedded systems, as highlighted by industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, which emphasize the need for robust input validation to prevent injection attacks.