CVE-2018-7364 in ZXIN10
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2023
All versions up to ZXINOS-RESV1.01.43 of the ZTE ZXIN10 product Orange branch are impacted by improper access control vulnerability. Due to improper access control to devcomm process, an unauthorized remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-7364 affects ZTE ZXIN10 devices running firmware versions up to ZXINOS-RESV1.01.43 within the Orange branch product line. This represents a critical access control flaw that fundamentally undermines the security architecture of these network devices. The vulnerability specifically targets the devcomm process which serves as a critical communication interface within the device's operating system, creating an exploitable entry point that bypasses normal authentication mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the devcomm process, which fails to properly validate incoming requests and verify the authenticity of connecting entities. This weakness allows an unauthenticated remote attacker to establish connections and execute malicious code with the highest possible privileges available within the system. The vulnerability operates at the system level rather than at application level, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited without requiring any prior authentication credentials or physical access to the device.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to network infrastructure security as it enables attackers to gain complete administrative control over affected devices. The ability to execute arbitrary code with root privileges means that adversaries can modify system configurations, install backdoors, redirect traffic, or extract sensitive data from the compromised devices. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network services, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which describes improper access control issues where an attacker can gain access to resources or functionality without proper authorization. This weakness falls under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities and represents a classic example of how insufficient access control validation can lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates over remote network connections, making it accessible to attackers anywhere in the world without requiring physical proximity to the affected devices.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to versions that address the access control deficiencies in the devcomm process. Organizations must also implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network administrators should consider implementing additional authentication layers and regularly audit device configurations to ensure that only authorized personnel can access critical system components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to prevent similar issues from compromising operational security.