CVE-2018-13285 in Router Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Command injection vulnerability in ftpd in Synology Router Manager (SRM) before 1.1.7-6941-1 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands via the (1) MKD or (2) RMD command.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13285 represents a critical command injection flaw within the ftpd component of Synology Router Manager software. This issue affects versions prior to 1.1.7-6941-1 and enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands through specifically crafted FTP protocol interactions. The vulnerability manifests when users submit malicious input through either the MKD (make directory) or RMD (remove directory) commands, exploiting insufficient input validation mechanisms within the FTP daemon implementation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user-supplied input within the ftpd service. When authenticated users send commands containing specially crafted payloads through the MKD or RMD operations, the system fails to properly validate or escape these inputs before processing them within the underlying operating system shell. This lack of input sanitization creates a direct pathway for command injection attacks, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the ftpd service account. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories, specifically addressing improper input validation and command injection weaknesses that enable attackers to execute unintended commands.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within network infrastructure. Since the affected component runs on network routers, successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to internal network resources, potentially leading to lateral movement and further compromise of connected systems. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker would need valid credentials, but once obtained, the vulnerability provides significant operational leverage. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries execute commands through legitimate system interfaces. The vulnerability also intersects with T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation and T1082 for system information discovery, as attackers could leverage the compromised service to gather additional system information and escalate privileges.
Organizations utilizing Synology Router Manager software must prioritize immediate remediation through the installation of firmware updates that address this vulnerability. The vendor has released patches for versions 1.1.7-6941-1 and later, which include proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent command injection attacks. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect suspicious FTP activity patterns and consider implementing additional access controls for FTP services. The mitigation strategy should include network segmentation to limit access to router management interfaces, enforcement of strong authentication mechanisms, and regular security assessments of network infrastructure components. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and containment of potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's presence in router management software makes it particularly attractive to attackers seeking persistent network access.