CVE-2018-0636 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 of a certain URL, different URL from CVE-2018-0634.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0636 represents a critical command injection flaw in Aterm HC100RC Ver1.0.1 and earlier firmware versions. This issue specifically affects the web-based administration interface of the device, where an authenticated attacker with administrator privileges can exploit a weakness in the FactoryPassword parameter handling. The vulnerability manifests through a specific URL endpoint that differs from the related CVE-2018-0634, indicating this represents a distinct attack vector within the same product line. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, allowing maliciously crafted input to be executed as operating system commands directly on the affected device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software systems. The attack requires an attacker to already possess administrative credentials, making this a privilege escalation or lateral movement vulnerability rather than a remote code execution vector. However, the impact remains severe as the attacker can execute arbitrary operating system commands with the highest privileges available to the web interface. The vulnerability exists because the device fails to properly sanitize or escape the FactoryPassword parameter before using it in system calls or command execution contexts. This weakness allows attackers to inject malicious command sequences that get interpreted and executed by the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to network infrastructure devices that rely on Aterm HC100RC routers for connectivity. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as attackers could potentially gain full control over the device's functionality, modify network configurations, access sensitive data, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The fact that this vulnerability requires administrative credentials means that it typically affects internal network environments where such credentials might be compromised through social engineering, credential theft, or other attack vectors. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting execution through operating system interfaces.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including firmware updates to versions that address this vulnerability, network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and strict access controls to administrative accounts. The recommended approach involves patching affected devices to the latest firmware releases provided by Aterm, implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious command execution patterns, and establishing robust credential management practices. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling unnecessary web interfaces, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and regularly auditing administrative account usage to detect potential compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as well as the critical need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices that may be overlooked in traditional security scanning processes.