CVE-2019-9507 in Avocent UMG-4000
Summary
by MITRE
The web interface of the Vertiv Avocent UMG-4000 version 4.2.1.19 is vulnerable to command injection because the application incorrectly neutralizes code syntax before executing. Since all commands within the web application are executed as root, this could allow a remote attacker authenticated with an administrator account to execute arbitrary commands as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2024
The Vertiv Avocent UMG-4000 is a network management device designed for remote monitoring and control of IT infrastructure equipment. This particular vulnerability exists within the web interface component of version 4.2.1.19, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the device's integrity and operational security. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the application's command execution pipeline, creating an avenue for malicious code injection attacks.
The technical flaw manifests as a command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-77, where the web application fails to properly neutralize special characters and code syntax before executing user-supplied input. When administrators interact with the web interface, their inputs are processed without adequate sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious commands that get executed with root privileges. This occurs because the application directly incorporates user input into system commands without proper escaping or validation, creating a direct pathway for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, as it enables authenticated attackers with administrative credentials to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary commands with the highest level of system access. Since all commands within the web application are executed as root, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, system modification, or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a backdoor to the entire device, allowing them to manipulate network configurations, access sensitive data, or establish persistent access points within the infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected firmware version to address the command injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces and enforce strict authentication controls. The principle of least privilege should be applied by restricting administrative access to only necessary personnel and implementing multi-factor authentication. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns, and regular security audits should verify proper input validation mechanisms are in place. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and represents a critical concern for industrial control systems and network infrastructure management devices.