CVE-2019-15055 in MikroTik
Summary
by MITRE
MikroTik RouterOS through 6.44.5 and 6.45.x through 6.45.3 improperly handles the disk name, which allows authenticated users to delete arbitrary files. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to reset credential storage, which allows them access to the management interface as an administrator without authentication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15055 affects MikroTik RouterOS versions up to 6.44.5 and 6.45.x through 6.45.3, representing a critical file system permission flaw that stems from improper handling of disk names within the router operating system. This issue manifests when authenticated users manipulate specific disk naming parameters, enabling them to execute arbitrary file deletion commands that extend beyond normal operational boundaries. The flaw exists in the underlying file system management mechanisms where the system fails to properly validate or sanitize disk name inputs, creating a path for privilege escalation through unauthorized file manipulation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated user sessions that leverage the improper disk name handling to traverse file system boundaries and delete critical system files. When users interact with disk management functions, the system processes disk names without adequate input validation, allowing maliciously crafted disk identifiers to bypass normal file access controls. This weakness specifically targets the credential storage mechanisms within RouterOS, where the deletion of key files can reset authentication states and remove administrative access restrictions. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level, affecting how the router processes file system operations and manages access controls for sensitive system components.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-15055 extends beyond simple file deletion capabilities to encompass complete administrative access compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can reset credential storage mechanisms, effectively removing all administrative passwords and access restrictions from the management interface. This results in unauthorized individuals gaining full administrative privileges without requiring legitimate authentication credentials, fundamentally undermining the security posture of affected MikroTik devices. The vulnerability affects network infrastructure devices that serve as critical points of control for network access and security policies, making the potential impact particularly severe for organizations relying on these systems for network management and security enforcement.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, and represents a classic example of path traversal exploitation within network device operating systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the credential access and defense evasion domains where attackers can manipulate system authentication mechanisms to maintain persistent access. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to versions beyond the affected releases, network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and monitoring for unusual file system activity or disk management operations. Additional protective measures include implementing strong access controls, regularly auditing administrative access logs, and establishing network-based detection mechanisms to identify potential exploitation attempts through anomalous file deletion patterns or credential reset activities.