CVE-2018-0638 in HC100RC
Summary
by MITRE
Aterm HC100RC Ver1.0.1 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary OS commands via import.cgi encKey parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0638 affects Aterm HC100RC devices running firmware version 1.0.1 and earlier, representing a critical command injection flaw that enables authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary operating system commands. This vulnerability resides within the import.cgi web interface component which processes the encKey parameter without proper input validation or sanitization. The flaw constitutes a direct path for privilege escalation and remote code execution, as the system fails to properly filter user-supplied input before incorporating it into system command execution contexts.
This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically categorizing as a "Command Injection" weakness where user-controllable data is directly concatenated into system commands without adequate sanitization. The attack vector requires an attacker to already possess administrative credentials, which reduces the initial access complexity but does not eliminate the severity of potential impact. The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation mechanisms that fail to distinguish between legitimate command parameters and malicious command sequences, creating an environment where crafted payloads can be executed with the privileges of the web application process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial, as it allows an authenticated attacker to gain complete control over the affected device's operating system. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install malicious software, modify system configurations, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects network security devices that serve as gateways or access points, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire network segments or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the internal network. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-0638 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and enforce strict access controls for administrative accounts. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious parameter inputs, conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure, and establishing robust credential management policies. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the critical need for proper sanitization of user-supplied data before incorporating it into system operations, particularly in network device management interfaces where elevated privileges are involved.