CVE-2018-0640 in HC100RC
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Aterm HC100RC Ver1.0.1 and earlier allows attacker with administrator rights to execute arbitrary code via netWizard.cgi date parameter, time parameter, and offset parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-0640 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting Aterm HC100RC devices running firmware versions 1.0.1 and earlier. This security weakness resides within the netWizard.cgi web interface component which processes user-supplied parameters without adequate input validation or bounds checking. The vulnerability specifically targets three parameters including date, time, and offset within the CGI script, creating a pathway for malicious code execution when these parameters exceed allocated buffer sizes.
This buffer overflow condition stems from improper handling of user-controllable input data within the web application layer of the network device. The flaw allows an attacker with administrative privileges to craft malicious input sequences that overwrite adjacent memory locations in the process heap. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability categorized under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions. The attack vector leverages the web interface's lack of proper input sanitization mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard HTTP requests without requiring physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to potentially compromise the entire network infrastructure controlled by the affected device. Since the exploit requires only administrator-level credentials, it can be leveraged by attackers who have already gained access to the device's administrative interface through other means such as credential theft or social engineering attacks. The consequences include complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within the network. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution and T1068 for local privilege escalation, as the attacker must already possess administrative access to exploit this specific weakness.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to versions that address the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Network administrators must ensure all affected devices are patched promptly, as the vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges and can be automated through web-based attack tools. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, enforcing strong authentication protocols, and monitoring for suspicious HTTP request patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation practices and adherence to secure coding standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten, particularly focusing on preventing injection flaws that can lead to buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of this device model within their network infrastructure and implement proper access controls to minimize the attack surface available to potential adversaries.