CVE-2018-13330 in TerraMaster TOS
Summary
by MITRE
System command injection in ajaxdata.php in TerraMaster TOS version 3.1.03 allows attackers to execute system commands during group creation via the "groupname" parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13330 represents a critical system command injection flaw within the TerraMaster TOS 3.1.03 operating system implementation. This security weakness exists in the ajaxdata.php script which handles group creation functionality, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to compromise the system. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application fails to properly sanitize user input provided through the "groupname" parameter, creating an opportunity for arbitrary command execution. This flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of input validation and output encoding that are essential for preventing injection attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the improper handling of user-supplied data within the group creation process. When an attacker submits a malicious value in the groupname parameter, the system fails to validate or escape the input before processing it within system commands. This allows attackers to inject additional commands that execute with the privileges of the web application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws, where user-controllable data is inserted into system commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector leverages the web application's trust in user input during group creation operations, creating a path for privilege escalation and unauthorized system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to encompass full system compromise and potential data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the affected TerraMaster device, potentially gaining access to sensitive system files, user data, and network resources. The vulnerability affects the core administrative functionality of the system, making it particularly dangerous as it allows attackers to manipulate group permissions and potentially escalate privileges within the system. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which describes command and scripting interpreter usage, specifically targeting the execution of system commands through web interfaces. The impact is amplified because the vulnerability exists in a web-based administrative interface, making it accessible to remote attackers without requiring physical access to the device.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-13330 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data, particularly in the groupname parameter handling within ajaxdata.php. Organizations should apply the vendor-provided security patches as soon as they become available, as TerraMaster has likely released updates to address this specific vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious input patterns, applying principle of least privilege configurations for web application users, and conducting regular security assessments of web interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security principles, specifically addressing the need for proper sanitization of user inputs to prevent injection attacks. Regular security monitoring and log analysis should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while network segmentation can help limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs.