CVE-2018-20487 in iopsys
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the firewall3 component in Inteno IOPSYS 1.0 through 3.16. The attacker must make a JSON-RPC method call to add a firewall rule as an "include" and point the "path" argument to a malicious script or binary. This gets executed as root when the firewall changes are committed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2018-20487 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the firewall3 component of Inteno IOPSYS firmware versions 1.0 through 3.16. This issue stems from improper input validation and execution of arbitrary code through a JSON-RPC interface that is accessible to unauthenticated attackers. The vulnerability exists in the firewall rule processing mechanism where the system accepts user-supplied paths without adequate sanitization or validation, creating a path traversal and code execution vector that can be exploited to gain root privileges on the affected device.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific JSON-RPC method call that allows attackers to add firewall rules with an "include" directive. When an attacker provides a malicious path in the "path" argument of the rule, the system processes this input without proper validation and subsequently executes the referenced script or binary with root privileges. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability where user-controllable input flows directly into system execution contexts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-78 and CWE-88 categories, specifically addressing improper validation of system command arguments and command injection flaws that enable arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the highest privileges available on the device, effectively compromising the entire system. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the router or network device, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, network reconnaissance, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects a wide range of networking equipment running Inteno IOPSYS firmware, making it a significant concern for network administrators managing multiple devices. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) tactics, demonstrating how attackers can leverage command execution capabilities to escalate their access level.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-20487 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Inteno to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary JSON-RPC interfaces, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and monitoring for suspicious firewall rule modifications. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all devices running affected firmware versions and establish regular patch management procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in network infrastructure components, particularly those handling administrative functions and system-level operations.