CVE-2020-22654 in R310
Summary
by MITRE • 01/20/2023
In Ruckus R310 10.5.1.0.199, Ruckus R500 10.5.1.0.199, Ruckus R600 10.5.1.0.199, Ruckus T300 10.5.1.0.199, Ruckus T301n 10.5.1.0.199, Ruckus T301s 10.5.1.0.199, SmartCell Gateway 200 (SCG200) before 3.6.2.0.795, SmartZone 100 (SZ-100) before 3.6.2.0.795, SmartZone 300 (SZ300) before 3.6.2.0.795, Virtual SmartZone (vSZ) before 3.6.2.0.795, ZoneDirector 1100 9.10.2.0.130, ZoneDirector 1200 10.2.1.0.218, ZoneDirector 3000 10.2.1.0.218, ZoneDirector 5000 10.0.1.0.151, a vulnerability allows attackers to bypass firmware image bad md5 checksum failed error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
This vulnerability exists in multiple Ruckus wireless networking devices and management platforms including R310, R500, R600, T300, T301n, T301s access points, as well as SmartCell Gateway 200, SmartZone 100, SmartZone 300, Virtual SmartZone, and various ZoneDirector models. The flaw resides in the firmware update mechanism where the system fails to properly validate checksums during the firmware installation process. This weakness allows malicious actors to bypass the integrity verification checks that are normally enforced to ensure firmware images have not been tampered with or corrupted during transmission. The vulnerability specifically affects firmware versions prior to 3.6.2.0.795 for the SmartZone and related platforms, and 10.5.1.0.199 for the Ruckus access points, with ZoneDirector versions also impacted. The underlying technical issue represents a failure in input validation and integrity checking mechanisms, which falls under CWE-347 - Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature and CWE-327 - Use of a Broken or Risky Cryptographic Algorithm. This vulnerability creates a significant security risk as it allows attackers to install modified or malicious firmware on affected devices without triggering the built-in security mechanisms that would normally prevent such installations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it enables attackers to compromise the integrity of wireless infrastructure devices. Once an attacker successfully bypasses the checksum verification, they can install backdoor firmware or modify existing firmware to gain persistent access to the network. This could lead to complete network compromise, man-in-the-middle attacks, or the ability to monitor and manipulate wireless traffic. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects both access point hardware and centralized management platforms, potentially allowing attackers to gain control over entire wireless networks. The attack vector typically involves exploiting the firmware update process through network-based attacks or by physically accessing devices that support firmware updates. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it provides a means for attackers to gain elevated privileges through firmware manipulation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect their wireless infrastructure. The primary recommendation is to upgrade all affected devices to the patched firmware versions specified in the vendor advisories, particularly versions 3.6.2.0.795 or later for SmartZone platforms and the appropriate versions for Ruckus access points. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to firmware update mechanisms and reduce the attack surface. Additional security controls include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual firmware update activities, enabling secure boot mechanisms where available, and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to device management interfaces. Device hardening practices should be enforced including disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly auditing device configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control policies that restrict firmware update capabilities to trusted networks and devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic verification in firmware update processes and highlights the need for robust integrity checking mechanisms in network infrastructure devices, which aligns with security standards such as NIST SP 800-145 and ISO/IEC 27031 for network security management and integrity verification.