CVE-2020-12148 in Unity ECOSTM
Summary
by MITRE • 12/11/2020
A command injection flaw identified in the nslookup API in Silver Peak Unity ECOSTM (ECOS) appliance software could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server running on the EdgeConnect appliance. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability to establish an interactive channel, effectively taking control of the target system. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with authenticated access to the Orchestrator UI or EdgeConnect UI. This affects all current ECOS versions: 8.1.9.15, 8.3.0.8, 8.3.1.2, 8.3.2.0, 9.0.2.0, and 9.1.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within the nslookup API of Silver Peak Unity ECOS appliances, specifically affecting the EdgeConnect appliance software ecosystem. The vulnerability exists in the way the system processes user input through the nslookup functionality, creating an opportunity for malicious command execution. The flaw allows an attacker with authenticated access to either the Orchestrator UI or EdgeConnect UI to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the target system with the privileges of the web server process. This represents a severe privilege escalation vector that can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the ECOS software including 8.1.9.15, 8.3.0.8, 8.3.1.2, 8.3.2.0, 9.0.2.0, and 9.1.0.0, indicating a widespread impact across the product line.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the nslookup API endpoint. When legitimate users provide input through the web interface, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands. This allows an attacker to append malicious commands that get executed by the underlying operating system through the web server process. The vulnerability is classified as a command injection flaw under CWE-77, which specifically addresses situations where programs execute operating system commands based on user input without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector requires authenticated access, meaning an attacker must first establish credentials to the system, but once authenticated, the impact is severe and can result in full system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it enables attackers to establish interactive channels and maintain persistent access to compromised systems. This capability allows for advanced persistent threat activities including data exfiltration, lateral movement within networks, and establishment of backdoors. The web server privileges provide attackers with access to system resources and potentially sensitive data that may be processed through the appliance. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically shell commands, and T1078.004 for valid accounts with the potential for privilege escalation. The affected versions span multiple major releases, suggesting the vulnerability has existed for an extended period and could have been exploited by threat actors with sufficient access privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official software updates provided by Silver Peak, which would include proper input validation and sanitization patches. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the affected appliances and restrict authentication to trusted users only. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting access to the Orchestrator and EdgeConnect UIs to only those users who require administrative capabilities. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns and potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls to filter suspicious input patterns and conduct thorough access reviews to identify and remove unnecessary administrative accounts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be performed to identify similar injection flaws in other network components and ensure comprehensive security posture maintenance.