CVE-2018-0628 in WG1200HP
Summary
by MITRE
Aterm WG1200HP firmware Ver1.0.31 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary OS commands via HTTP request and response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0628 affects the Aterm WG1200HP wireless router firmware version 1.0.31 and earlier, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands remotely. This vulnerability resides within the web interface handling of HTTP requests and responses, where insufficient input validation and sanitization permits malicious command injection attacks. The flaw specifically manifests when the device processes HTTP requests containing specially crafted parameters that are subsequently passed to underlying operating system commands without proper sanitization. Attackers with administrator credentials can exploit this vulnerability to gain full control over the device's operating system, potentially leading to complete network compromise and unauthorized access to connected devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the web administration interface of the router firmware. When administrators access the device's web management interface, HTTP requests containing command parameters are processed by the firmware's web server component. The absence of proper input validation and output encoding allows attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed within the device's operating system context. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89 classifications, representing command injection and SQL injection weaknesses respectively, though the specific implementation here focuses on OS command execution rather than database injection. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the Command and Control phase, specifically within the T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-0628 extends far beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected router. Once exploited, adversaries can modify network configurations, redirect traffic, establish persistent backdoors, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The vulnerability's authentication requirement means that attackers must first obtain administrator credentials, but this is often achievable through credential reuse, default credential exploitation, or social engineering attacks. The compromised device becomes a potential entry point for broader network infiltration, allowing attackers to monitor traffic, manipulate network settings, and create unauthorized access channels. Network administrators face significant challenges in detecting such compromises since the malicious activities may appear legitimate within the device's normal operation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0628 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions that address the command injection vulnerability, as provided by the vendor. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting administrative access to the device. Implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized configuration changes may provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Regular security audits should include verification of firmware versions and configuration settings to ensure that devices remain up to date with security patches. Network administrators should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and establish strict access control policies to limit who can modify router configurations. Additionally, network intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious HTTP request patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that proper input validation is implemented throughout the device's web interface components.