CVE-2018-16739 in TVIP
Summary
by MITRE • 10/27/2023
An issue was discovered on certain ABUS TVIP devices. Due to a path traversal in /opt/cgi/admin/filewrite, an attacker can write to files, and thus execute code arbitrarily with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16739 represents a critical path traversal flaw affecting ABUS TVIP devices that operates within the administrative file handling component of these security systems. This issue resides in the /opt/cgi/admin/filewrite endpoint which processes file operations without adequate input validation, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote attackers to manipulate the device's file system. The flaw stems from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied parameters that are directly used in file path construction, enabling attackers to traverse directory structures beyond intended boundaries. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-22 Path Traversal and CWE-74 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component, both of which are categorized under the broader weakness of inadequate input validation and improper handling of file system operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it grants attackers the ability to write arbitrary files to critical system locations with root privileges. Attackers can leverage this condition to upload malicious executables, modify system binaries, or inject backdoors that persist across device reboots. The path traversal mechanism allows for writing to sensitive system directories such as /etc, /usr/bin, or other critical locations where root permissions are required for file modification. This creates a complete compromise scenario where an attacker can effectively take control of the entire device and potentially use it as a foothold for further network infiltration. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it operates at the administrative level, meaning that even unauthenticated attackers can exploit this flaw to gain root access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where these devices may be exposed to external networks.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically covering T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 Valid Accounts, as attackers can leverage the root privileges to execute commands and maintain persistent access. The exploitation process typically involves crafting malicious file paths that bypass normal access controls, allowing attackers to write files to locations where they can be executed or modified to alter system behavior. The vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in security monitoring and surveillance applications, making it particularly concerning as these systems often contain sensitive data and serve as critical infrastructure components. Network security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of their risk assessment for industrial control systems and security surveillance equipment, particularly in environments where network segmentation is not properly implemented to isolate these devices from general network traffic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-16739 require immediate implementation of network segmentation measures to isolate affected devices from general network access, combined with firmware updates from ABUS that properly validate input parameters and implement proper access controls for administrative endpoints. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious file write operations and establish strict access controls for administrative interfaces, including disabling unnecessary administrative services and implementing strong authentication mechanisms. The fix should include input validation that prevents directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ from being processed in file path operations, along with implementing proper privilege separation where administrative operations are performed with minimal required privileges rather than root access. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire network infrastructure to identify other devices that may be running similar software versions or that may be vulnerable to analogous path traversal flaws, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural issues in application security design.