CVE-2019-13148 in TEW-827DRU
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in TRENDnet TEW-827DRU firmware before 2.05B11. There is a command injection in apply.cgi (exploitable with authentication) via the UDP Ports To Open in Add Gaming Rule.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-13148 affects the TRENDnet TEW-827DRU wireless router firmware version 2.05B10 and earlier, representing a critical command injection flaw that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. This vulnerability exists within the apply.cgi web interface component, specifically in the handling of UDP ports configuration when adding gaming rules through the administrative console. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating an avenue for malicious command execution that could compromise the entire network infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the UDP Ports To Open field within the Add Gaming Rule functionality, where an attacker with valid administrative credentials can inject malicious commands that get executed by the underlying operating system. This represents a classic command injection vulnerability categorized under CWE-77, which occurs when a program constructs command strings using externally-influenced input without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability enables attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web application process, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized network access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to enterprise and home network environments as it allows authenticated attackers to gain full control over the router's functionality. The impact extends beyond simple command execution to include potential network reconnaissance, traffic interception, and the ability to modify router configurations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, redirect network traffic, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system utilities to execute malicious commands.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that it requires only authentication credentials, which are often weak or reused across multiple devices. Network administrators should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 2.05B11 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, monitoring for unusual command execution patterns, and enforcing strong authentication practices can help mitigate the risk. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network devices that may be running outdated firmware versions.