CVE-2018-0634 in HC100RC
Summary
by MITRE
Aterm HC100RC Ver1.0.1 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary OS commands via FactoryPassword parameter or bootmode parameter of a certain URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
This vulnerability exists in Aterm HC100RC Ver1.0.1 and earlier devices where an attacker with administrator privileges can execute arbitrary operating system commands through manipulation of the FactoryPassword parameter or bootmode parameter in a specific URL. The flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that allows remote code execution when administrative credentials are compromised. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the device's web interface handling of these parameters, enabling attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed by the underlying operating system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through improper parameter handling in the device's web server component. When the FactoryPassword or bootmode parameters are submitted through a URL, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before processing. This allows an attacker to append malicious commands that get interpreted and executed by the operating system shell. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')", which is a well-documented weakness in web applications and network devices that handle user input in system commands. The attack vector requires an attacker to already possess administrative credentials, making this a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by insiders or through credential compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides full system control to an attacker who has administrative access. Once exploited, the attacker can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the device. This could lead to complete system compromise including data exfiltration, installation of backdoors, modification of system configurations, and potential use as a pivot point for attacking other devices on the network. The vulnerability affects network infrastructure devices that are often considered trusted within corporate environments, making the impact potentially widespread. According to ATT&CK framework, this maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, though the specific execution occurs through web interface parameters rather than PowerShell.
Mitigation strategies should focus on input validation and sanitization of all user-supplied parameters, particularly those used in system command execution contexts. Device vendors should implement proper parameter filtering to prevent special characters that could enable command injection attacks. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit administrative access to these devices, as the vulnerability requires administrative credentials to exploit. Regular firmware updates and security patches should be deployed promptly when available. The device should also implement proper authentication mechanisms with strong credential policies and session management to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, network monitoring should be employed to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other network devices and applications.