CVE-2018-11036 in Ruckus SmartZone
Summary
by MITRE
Ruckus SmartZone (formerly Virtual SmartCell Gateway or vSCG) 3.5.0, 3.5.1, 3.6.0, and 3.6.1 (Essentials and High Scale) on vSZ, SZ-100, SZ-300, and SCG-200 devices allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or modify data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2020
The CVE-2018-11036 vulnerability affects Ruckus SmartZone wireless network management systems across multiple firmware versions including 3.5.0, 3.5.1, 3.6.0, and 3.6.1. This critical flaw exists within the vSCG (Virtual SmartCell Gateway) implementation that operates on various hardware platforms such as vSZ, SZ-100, SZ-300, and SCG-200 devices. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that permits unauthenticated remote attackers to access sensitive operational data and potentially modify critical network configurations. The affected systems are widely deployed in enterprise environments where wireless network management and security are paramount, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on Ruckus SmartZone solutions for their wireless infrastructure.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the SmartZone management interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness to perform unauthorized data retrieval operations that expose sensitive configuration parameters, user credentials, and network topology information. The vulnerability allows for both information disclosure and data modification capabilities, enabling attackers to potentially alter wireless network settings, access restricted administrative functions, and compromise the integrity of the entire wireless infrastructure. This dual nature of the vulnerability places it firmly within the category of privilege escalation and information disclosure flaws, with implications that extend far beyond simple data exposure. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-200 for Information Exposure and CWE-284 for Improper Access Control, reflecting the fundamental breakdown in security controls that allows unauthorized access to sensitive resources.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-11036 extends beyond immediate data compromise to encompass complete network infrastructure disruption and potential lateral movement within enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing affected SmartZone versions face the risk of unauthorized network access, configuration tampering, and credential theft that could lead to widespread security breaches. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to leverage the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless networks serve as primary access points for corporate resources. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for Valid Accounts and T1566 for Phishing, as compromised credentials could enable further attacks within the network. The potential for attackers to modify network configurations creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS poisoning, and other sophisticated network-level compromises that could persist undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-11036 should prioritize immediate firmware upgrades to versions that address the identified access control and input validation weaknesses. Organizations must implement network segmentation to isolate affected SmartZone management interfaces from critical network segments and apply strict firewall rules to limit access to management ports. The implementation of network monitoring solutions capable of detecting anomalous access patterns and unauthorized configuration changes represents a crucial defensive measure. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected hardware and ensure that access controls are properly configured to prevent unauthorized administrative access. Additionally, organizations should review and strengthen their credential management practices, implement multi-factor authentication where possible, and establish robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and continuous monitoring of network management interfaces remain essential to detect and respond to any exploitation attempts that may bypass initial mitigation controls.