CVE-2018-19031 in Safe Router
Summary
by MITRE
A command injection vulnerability exists when the authorized user passes crafted parameter to background process in the router. This affects 360 router series products (360 Safe Router P0,P1,P2,P3,P4), the affected version is V2.0.61.58897.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2019
This command injection vulnerability in the 360 Safe Router series represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices. The vulnerability specifically manifests when authorized users pass crafted parameters to background processes within the router's operating system, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by malicious actors who have gained legitimate access to the device. The affected models include the 360 Safe Router P0, P1, P2, P3, and P4 series, all running firmware version V2.0.61.58897, which indicates a widespread issue affecting multiple generations of the router line. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the router's command processing mechanisms, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that are then executed with the privileges of the background processes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the router's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before passing them to system commands or shell executions. When authorized users submit crafted parameters through the router's management interface or API endpoints, the system does not adequately validate or escape these inputs, resulting in command injection. This flaw aligns with CWE-77, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, and represents a classic example of how authentication bypasses or privilege escalation can lead to command execution. The attack vector typically involves manipulation of parameters that are processed by the router's backend services, where user-supplied data flows directly into system calls without proper sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, meaning that an attacker who has already compromised legitimate credentials can leverage this flaw to gain full control over the device's underlying operating system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected router's functionality and potentially the entire network segment it manages. Once exploited, attackers can modify router configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks against other systems within the network. The compromised router can serve as a persistent backdoor, enabling long-term network surveillance, data exfiltration, or as a launching point for attacks on external networks. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter, T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, and T1071 for application layer protocol usage. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where these routers may be used as core network infrastructure components, as they can provide attackers with unauthorized access to internal network resources and potentially compromise the security of connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates from 360, as well as network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement strict access controls and regularly audit router configurations to identify unauthorized changes. Network administrators should deploy intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual command execution patterns and parameter manipulation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices in embedded systems, as proper sanitization of user inputs would prevent this type of injection attack. Additionally, implementing network access controls and restricting administrative access to only trusted users can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network devices, as this type of command injection flaw is commonly found in embedded systems and network equipment that lack proper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of securing network infrastructure devices, which often serve as primary targets for attackers seeking persistent access to enterprise networks.