CVE-2020-10176 in Yale WIPC-301W
Summary
by MITRE
ASSA ABLOY Yale WIPC-301W 2.x.2.29 through 2.x.2.43_p1 devices allow Eval Injection of commands.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2020
The ASSA ABLOY Yale WIPC-301W wireless intelligent proximity controller represents a critical security vulnerability in the realm of physical access control systems. This device operates within the 2.x.2.29 through 2.x.2.43_p1 firmware versions and suffers from a severe command injection flaw that allows unauthorized users to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the device's command processing mechanisms, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary commands directly on the controller. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-94 category of Code Injection, specifically representing an Eval Injection scenario where user-controllable input is passed directly to an evaluation function without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple command execution, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity and security of physical access control infrastructure. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain full administrative control over the access control system, enabling them to add or remove authorized users, modify access permissions, disable security features, or even create unauthorized access points within the secured environment. The implications are particularly severe given that these devices are commonly deployed in enterprise environments, government facilities, and other high-security locations where physical access control is paramount. The vulnerability's presence in a wireless proximity controller means that attackers could potentially exploit it remotely, expanding the attack surface beyond traditional network boundaries.
This security flaw aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, demonstrating how the vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent access and escalate privileges within the target environment. The device's wireless capabilities compound the risk as attackers may not require physical proximity to exploit the vulnerability, potentially enabling remote attacks from outside the facility perimeter. Organizations relying on these devices face significant operational risks including potential data breaches, unauthorized physical access, and complete compromise of their access control infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass immediate firmware updates from ASSA ABLOY to address the command injection flaw, alongside network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices. Security professionals should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns and establish network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their entire access control infrastructure to identify other potentially affected devices and ensure proper network isolation of critical physical security systems. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly those handling physical security functions where the consequences of exploitation extend beyond traditional cybersecurity concerns into physical safety and security domains.