CVE-2018-0631 in W300P
Summary
by MITRE
Aterm W300P Ver1.0.13 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-2018-0631 affects the Aterm W300P router model running firmware versions 1.0.13 and earlier. This represents a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the affected device. The vulnerability specifically manifests through the targetAPSsid parameter, which is processed without proper input validation or sanitization mechanisms. This allows an attacker to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed by the router's underlying operating system, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input handling within the router's web interface management system. When the targetAPSsid parameter is submitted through HTTP requests, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into system commands. This classic command injection vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The flaw exists in the application layer where user input directly influences operating system command execution, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation and remote code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security and infrastructure integrity. An attacker with administrative access can leverage this flaw to gain complete control over the router's operating system, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, establish persistent backdoors, monitor network traffic, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability essentially transforms the router from a network security device into a potential attack vector, undermining the fundamental security assumptions of the network perimeter. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can facilitate lateral movement within the network and enable more sophisticated attack scenarios.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to versions that address this vulnerability, network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and strict access controls for router management. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how this flaw can be leveraged for broader attack chains. Additionally, implementing network monitoring to detect unusual command execution patterns and restricting administrative access to only trusted users can help reduce the attack surface. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network devices and ensure comprehensive protection against command injection attacks.