CVE-2018-11228 in TSW-1060
Summary
by MITRE
Crestron TSW-1060, TSW-760, TSW-560, TSW-1060-NC, TSW-760-NC, and TSW-560-NC devices before 2.001.0037.001 allow unauthenticated remote code execution via a Bash shell service in Crestron Toolbox Protocol (CTP).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11228 affects a series of Crestron touch screen workstations including the TSW-1060, TSW-760, TSW-560, and their network-compiled variants. These devices operate within the industrial control and automation sector, serving as user interfaces for complex building management systems and audiovisual installations. The flaw resides in the Crestron Toolbox Protocol implementation which exposes an insecure Bash shell service that lacks proper authentication mechanisms. This vulnerability represents a critical security weakness that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely without requiring any credentials or prior access to the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the Crestron Toolbox Protocol which provides a communication interface for device management and configuration tasks. When the affected devices process requests through this protocol, they fail to validate the authenticity of incoming connections before executing shell commands. This design flaw creates an unauthenticated remote code execution vector that can be exploited over the network. The vulnerability specifically targets the shell service component that handles command execution, allowing malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the affected systems. This represents a classic case of insufficient authentication and authorization controls, which aligns with CWE-287 - Improper Authentication and CWE-78 - Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple remote code execution capabilities. These devices are typically deployed in critical infrastructure environments where they control building automation systems, security systems, and audiovisual equipment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain complete control over the affected device, potentially leading to unauthorized access to connected systems, data exfiltration, or disruption of critical building operations. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where these touchscreens serve as primary interfaces for managing complex automation systems. The vulnerability's unauthenticated nature means that any network-connected device could be compromised without requiring specialized credentials or prior reconnaissance, making it an attractive target for automated attacks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 2.001.0037.001 or later which address the authentication bypass in the Crestron Toolbox Protocol. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to these devices only to authorized management networks and personnel. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by disabling unnecessary services and ports, particularly those related to the CTP protocol. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network traffic patterns or command execution attempts on these devices. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities in industrial control systems, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication mechanisms in networked industrial equipment. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.004 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: Unix Shell, where adversaries leverage shell services to execute commands on compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts of known vulnerabilities in industrial control systems, as these devices often operate in environments with limited security monitoring capabilities.