CVE-2018-14839 in N1A1 NAS
Summary
by MITRE
LG N1A1 NAS 3718.510 is affected by: Remote Command Execution. The impact is: execute arbitrary code (remote). The attack vector is: HTTP POST with parameters.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-14839 affects LG N1A1 Network Attached Storage devices running firmware version 3718.510 and potentially other variants within the same product line. This represents a critical remote command execution flaw that allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the device and execute arbitrary code from remote locations without requiring authentication. The vulnerability specifically manifests through HTTP POST requests containing malicious parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through web-based attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the web interface of the NAS device. When processing HTTP POST requests, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied parameters, creating a path for attackers to inject and execute malicious commands directly on the underlying operating system. This flaw falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, where untrusted data is incorporated into command processing without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it leverages standard web protocols and does not require any specialized tools or privileges beyond basic network connectivity to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation enables complete compromise of the affected NAS device. Attackers can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify or exfiltrate stored data, create backdoors, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the local network. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for devices that are exposed to public networks or have port forwarding enabled. This vulnerability directly maps to the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system commands to execute malicious code.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from LG to address the root cause of the command injection flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of NAS devices to untrusted networks, while firewall rules should restrict access to the device's web interface to trusted IP addresses only. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious HTTP POST requests containing unusual parameters can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify other potentially vulnerable devices, as this vulnerability may be present in similar LG NAS models or firmware versions. The remediation process should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect any unauthorized access attempts and ensure that all networked devices maintain current firmware versions to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited.