CVE-2020-12107 in VPNCrypt M10
Summary
by MITRE
The Web portal of the WiFi module of VPNCrypt M10 2.6.5 allows command injection via a text field, which allow full control over this module's Operating System.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-12107 represents a critical command injection flaw within the web portal interface of the VPNCrypt M10 WiFi module version 2.6.5. This security weakness resides in the web-based management interface that administrators use to configure and control the device's wireless networking capabilities. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the text field processing functionality, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands that are subsequently executed by the underlying operating system. The VPNCrypt M10 device operates on a Linux-based embedded system where the web portal serves as the primary attack surface for remote exploitation. This particular vulnerability is classified under CWE-77 as a command injection vulnerability, which is a well-documented weakness in software applications that improperly handle user-supplied data in system command contexts.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious input through a text field within the web portal interface. The application fails to properly validate or sanitize the input before incorporating it into system commands or shell executions. When the vulnerable application processes this untrusted data, it directly passes the malicious input to the operating system's command interpreter, enabling arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the web application process. This command injection vulnerability allows attackers to execute system commands such as shell commands, file operations, network reconnaissance tools, and potentially gain root-level access to the embedded Linux system. The impact extends beyond simple command execution as it provides attackers with full administrative control over the device's operating system, enabling them to modify configurations, install malware, exfiltrate data, or establish persistent backdoors.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing VPNCrypt M10 devices in their network infrastructure. The ability to achieve full system control over the WiFi module's operating system creates multiple attack vectors for compromising network security and conducting advanced persistent threats. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance activities such as enumerating system users, accessing configuration files, discovering network services, and identifying other potential targets within the network. The compromised device can then serve as a pivot point for lateral movement attacks, allowing threat actors to access other network segments that were previously isolated from the WiFi module's network. Additionally, the vulnerability enables attackers to modify the device's wireless configuration, potentially creating rogue access points or redirecting traffic through malicious proxies, which can lead to man-in-the-middle attacks and data interception.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-12107 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying the vendor-provided security patches or firmware updates that properly validate and sanitize all user inputs before processing them within system command contexts. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of the affected devices to untrusted networks. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unusual network traffic originating from the compromised devices. Input validation should be strengthened through the implementation of allow-list validation techniques that only permit expected characters and formats in text fields. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running the web portal application with minimal required permissions and avoiding execution with root privileges. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other networked devices and applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, demonstrating how command injection can be leveraged for broader system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent malicious input patterns targeting command injection vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure.