CVE-2019-13653 in M7350
Summary
by MITRE
TP-Link M7350 devices through 1.0.16 Build 181220 Rel.1116n allow triggerPort OS Command Injection (issue 5 of 5).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2024
The TP-Link M7350 device vulnerability represents a critical operating system command injection flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This vulnerability specifically impacts devices running firmware versions through 1.0.16 Build 181220 Rel.1116n and resides within the triggerPort functionality of the device's web interface. The issue manifests as a classic command injection vulnerability where user-supplied input is improperly sanitized before being passed to system commands, creating an avenue for malicious exploitation that aligns with CWE-77 standards for command injection flaws. The vulnerability operates through the device's web management interface, where an attacker can craft malicious requests that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly interact with underlying operating system commands.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the device's input validation processes, where parameters submitted through the triggerPort functionality are not properly escaped or sanitized before being processed by the system shell. This allows an attacker to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated permissions on the device. The attack vector leverages HTTP requests that contain specially crafted payloads designed to manipulate the command execution flow. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it does not require authentication for exploitation, making it particularly dangerous in network environments where the device's management interface is accessible to unauthenticated users. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables arbitrary command execution through the device's web interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the device's underlying operating system and network resources. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to modify device configurations, install malicious software, create backdoors, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects the device's network security posture significantly, as it allows unauthorized users to gain control over network infrastructure equipment. Organizations using TP-Link M7350 devices in their network infrastructure face potential data breaches, service disruption, and compromise of network integrity. The vulnerability's presence in the device's web interface also means that automated scanning tools can easily identify and exploit this flaw, making it particularly attractive to threat actors conducting large-scale attacks. The lack of authentication requirements for exploitation means that any network user who can access the device's management interface can potentially exploit this vulnerability, creating an elevated risk for devices deployed in public or unsecured network environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must include immediate firmware updates from TP-Link to address the command injection flaw, along with network segmentation to limit access to device management interfaces. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous command execution patterns and establish secure remote access procedures for device management. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output encoding in web applications, as recommended by OWASP Top 10 and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing firewall rules that restrict access to device management ports and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar flaws in other network equipment. The remediation process should also include network access controls to prevent unauthorized users from reaching the device's management interface, particularly in environments where the device may be exposed to untrusted network traffic.