CVE-2018-7902 in 1288H V5
Summary
by MITRE
Huawei 1288H V5 and 288H V5 with software of V100R005C00 have a JSON injection vulnerability. An authenticated, remote attacker can launch a JSON injection to modify the password of administrator. Due to insufficient verification of the input, this could be exploited to obtain the management privilege of the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2023
The CVE-2018-7902 vulnerability affects Huawei 1288H V5 and 288H V5 network equipment devices running software version V100R005C00, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of administrative access controls. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the device's web-based management interface, specifically in how the system processes JSON data structures. The flaw allows an authenticated remote attacker to exploit a JSON injection technique that manipulates the password modification functionality, effectively enabling privilege escalation and unauthorized administrative access to the affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper sanitization of user-supplied JSON input parameters within the device's management interface. When administrators attempt to modify passwords through the web interface, the system fails to properly validate or sanitize the JSON payload containing the new password value. This insufficient validation creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious JSON data that can manipulate the password change process. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-20 as "Improper Input Validation" and specifically relates to CWE-74 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component." The attack vector requires authentication, meaning the attacker must first establish a valid session with the device, but once authenticated, the vulnerability allows for remote exploitation without requiring additional privileges or physical access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password modification, as it provides attackers with complete administrative control over the affected network equipment. Successful exploitation enables unauthorized users to gain full system privileges, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, access sensitive data, install malicious software, or create backdoor access points. This compromise directly affects the CIA triad, particularly confidentiality and integrity, as attackers can manipulate system configurations and access restricted information. The vulnerability's remote nature and the fact that it requires only authentication makes it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network equipment often serves as critical infrastructure components. Organizations using these specific Huawei models may face significant operational disruption, regulatory compliance issues, and potential data breaches if this vulnerability remains unpatched.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-7902 should prioritize immediate software patching from Huawei, as the vendor has released security updates to address this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitor authentication logs for suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 as "Valid Accounts" and T1548.001 as "Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism," highlighting the importance of implementing robust identity and access management practices. Organizations should also consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous JSON data patterns in web traffic. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar input validation flaws in other network infrastructure components, as this type of vulnerability often indicates broader architectural weaknesses in the system's security design.