CVE-2019-3496 in UniBox controller
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Wifi-soft UniBox controller 3.x devices. The tools/controller/diagnostic_tools_controller Diagnostic Tools Controller is vulnerable to Remote Command Execution, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary system commands on the server with root user privileges. Authentication for accessing this component can be bypassed by using Hard coded credentials.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2023
The CVE-2019-3496 vulnerability affects Wifi-soft UniBox controller 3.x devices, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote command execution with root privileges. This vulnerability resides within the tools/controller/diagnostic_tools_controller component of the affected systems, creating a severe attack surface that allows unauthorized individuals to gain complete control over the affected hardware. The flaw demonstrates poor security design principles where the system architecture fails to implement proper authentication mechanisms for critical administrative functions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on the presence of hard-coded credentials within the diagnostic tools controller, which bypasses normal authentication procedures entirely. This design flaw represents a classic weakness categorized under CWE-798, where hardcoded credentials are used instead of dynamic authentication mechanisms. Attackers can leverage these hardcoded credentials to access the diagnostic tools controller without requiring legitimate user credentials, effectively providing a backdoor into the system. The absence of proper authentication controls creates a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target device with the highest level of system privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows complete system compromise with root privileges. This level of access enables attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, exfiltrate sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The vulnerability affects the entire UniBox controller 3.x product line, indicating a widespread issue that could impact numerous installations across different organizations and environments. This represents a significant risk to network security and operational continuity, particularly in industrial control systems where these devices may be used for critical infrastructure management.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically mapping it to techniques involving credential access and execution of malicious code. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactic TA0006 (Credential Access) and technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage hardcoded credentials to gain access. Additionally, the execution component maps to ATT&CK technique T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) where attackers can execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system. Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including firmware updates from Wifi-soft, network segmentation, and monitoring for suspicious access patterns to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.