CVE-2018-0627 in WG1200HP
Summary
by MITRE
Aterm WG1200HP firmware Ver1.0.31 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary OS commands via targetAPSsid parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0627 affects the Aterm WG1200HP wireless router firmware version 1.0.31 and earlier, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected device. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which occurs when an application incorporates user-supplied data into operating system commands without proper validation or sanitization. The specific parameter targetAPSsid serves as the attack vector, where malicious input can be injected into the command execution chain, allowing for complete compromise of the router's operating system. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the firmware's web interface handling mechanism, where user-provided values are directly passed to system commands without adequate sanitization measures. This flaw represents a significant security risk as it provides attackers with full administrative control over the affected router, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, install malicious software, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0627 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to leverage the compromised router as a pivot point for further network infiltration activities. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can execute commands with the privileges of the router's administrative account. The compromised device can serve as a launching point for lateral movement within the network, allowing attackers to perform reconnaissance activities, redirect traffic through malicious proxies, or establish backdoors for persistent access. Network administrators face significant challenges in detecting such attacks since legitimate administrative commands may appear normal within network monitoring tools, making the compromise difficult to distinguish from legitimate administrative activities. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where routers often serve as critical network infrastructure components, potentially enabling attackers to disrupt network services, intercept communications, or gain unauthorized access to sensitive internal systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0627 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the manufacturer, as this represents the most effective solution to address the underlying command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit administrative access to critical network infrastructure, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns or unusual administrative activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious command injection attempts, particularly for devices that cannot be immediately updated. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other network equipment, as this vulnerability type commonly affects network infrastructure devices. The implementation of principle of least privilege for administrative accounts and multi-factor authentication for router access can further reduce the risk of exploitation, while maintaining detailed audit logs of administrative activities to facilitate incident response and forensic analysis. Organizations should also consider conducting security awareness training for network administrators to recognize potential signs of compromise and understand the importance of prompt firmware updates and security patch management.