CVE-2018-11229 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 command injection in Crestron Toolbox Protocol (CTP).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11229 represents a critical security flaw affecting several Crestron touch screen workstation devices including the TSW-1060, TSW-760, TSW-560, and their network-compiled variants. These devices operate within the Crestron Toolbox Protocol (CTP) framework, which serves as the communication interface for managing and controlling various smart building systems. The flaw stems from improper input validation within the CTP implementation, specifically allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that bypass authentication mechanisms entirely. This vulnerability exists in firmware versions prior to 2.001.0037.001, indicating that the issue was present in a significant portion of deployed devices across enterprise and commercial environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through command injection attacks that leverage the CTP protocol's handling of user inputs. Attackers can craft specially formatted requests that are processed by the device without proper sanitization, enabling execution of arbitrary commands with the privileges of the device's system. This command injection flaw maps directly to CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how insufficient input validation can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit this flaw from outside the device's network perimeter, eliminating the need for physical access or network infiltration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected devices. These touch screen workstations serve as critical interface points for building automation systems, controlling lighting, climate, security, and other essential infrastructure components. Successful exploitation allows attackers to manipulate building controls, potentially causing physical security breaches, environmental disruptions, or complete system failures. The vulnerability's ability to execute code without authentication aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210, which describes exploitation of remote services, and represents a significant risk to critical infrastructure environments where these devices are commonly deployed.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement firmware updates to version 2.001.0037.001 or later, which contain patches addressing the command injection flaw. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit access to these devices, with strict firewall rules preventing unauthorized remote connections to the CTP protocol ports. Additional mitigations include implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous command execution patterns and conducting thorough security assessments of all deployed Crestron devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure input validation in network protocols and highlights the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular firmware updates and security testing of industrial control systems.