CVE-2018-15358 in ESP-200
Summary
by MITRE
An authenticated attacker with low privileges can activate high privileged user and use it to expand attack surface in Eltex ESP-200 firmware version 1.2.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-15358 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Eltex ESP-200 network device firmware version 1.2.0. This issue allows an authenticated user with minimal privileges to escalate their access rights and assume the identity of a high-privileged user account. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the device's authentication and authorization framework, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass normal security boundaries and gain elevated system privileges. Such a flaw fundamentally undermines the security model of the network device, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive system functions and data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the firmware's privilege management system where low-privileged user accounts can manipulate authentication tokens or session identifiers to transition into high-privileged states. This typically occurs through improper validation of user credentials or insufficient session management controls that fail to properly verify the authenticity and authorization level of requesting users. The vulnerability may be exploited through manipulation of API endpoints, configuration interfaces, or administrative functions that should normally be restricted to authorized personnel only. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-284, which describes inadequate access control mechanisms, and represents a classic privilege escalation vector that can be classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations relying on Eltex ESP-200 devices for network infrastructure. Once exploited, the attacker can gain full administrative control over the device, potentially leading to complete network compromise through lateral movement and persistent access. The expanded attack surface allows for reconnaissance activities, data exfiltration, and the ability to manipulate network traffic flows. Network administrators may lose visibility into their systems as the attacker can disable logging or modify security configurations to maintain persistence. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where network devices serve as critical infrastructure components, as it can enable attackers to disrupt services, steal sensitive information, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from Eltex to address the privilege escalation flaw, along with network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious authentication patterns. Access controls should be reviewed and strengthened to ensure proper user privilege assignment and least-privilege principles are enforced. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for comprehensive security testing of network device firmware, particularly in environments where network infrastructure security is paramount. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous authentication behavior and privilege escalation attempts to provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts.