CVE-2019-9117 in Motorola
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered on Motorola C1 and M2 devices with firmware 1.01 and 1.07 respectively. This issue is a Command Injection allowing a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code, and get a root shell. A command Injection vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via a crafted /HNAP1 POST request. This occurs when any HNAP API function triggers a call to the system function with untrusted input from the request body for the SetNetworkTomographySettings API function, as demonstrated by shell metacharacters in the tomography_ping_number field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9117 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting Motorola C1 and M2 wireless devices running specific firmware versions. This security weakness resides within the device's HNAP (Home Network Access Protocol) implementation, specifically in the SetNetworkTomographySettings API function. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly handle user-supplied data, creating an exploitable pathway for remote code execution. The flaw manifests when the system function is invoked with untrusted input from the request body, particularly targeting the tomography_ping_number field which accepts shell metacharacters that can be interpreted by the underlying operating system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted HTTP POST requests to the /HNAP1 endpoint, leveraging the HNAP protocol's API functions to inject malicious commands. When the SetNetworkTomographySettings function processes the tomography_ping_number parameter, it directly passes this unvalidated input to the system command execution function without proper sanitization or escaping. This creates a classic command injection scenario where attackers can append arbitrary shell commands to the legitimate network configuration parameters, effectively bypassing normal access controls and gaining unauthorized system privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows remote attackers to execute commands with root-level privileges, providing complete control over the device's operating system and potentially enabling further network infiltration.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9117 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected Motorola devices. Once exploited, attackers can gain root shell access, enabling them to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other networked systems. This vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in residential and small office environments, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access points or launch broader network attacks. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to the devices, significantly expanding the potential attack surface and making the vulnerability particularly concerning for network administrators managing multiple affected devices.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by Motorola, as well as network-level protective measures. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised devices and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious HNAP traffic patterns. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, Command Injection, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, highlighting the need for proper input validation and secure coding practices. Device administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary HNAP services when not required, implementing strict firewall rules to restrict access to the HNAP endpoint, and regularly monitoring device logs for unauthorized configuration changes. Given the severity of the vulnerability, immediate remediation is essential to prevent exploitation and maintain network security integrity.