CVE-2020-22658 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 switch completely to unauthorized image to be Boot as primary verified image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2025
This vulnerability affects multiple Ruckus wireless networking devices including R310, R500, R600, T300, T301n, T301s access points, as well as SmartCell Gateway, SmartZone, and ZoneDirector products. The flaw resides in the boot process verification mechanism where attackers can manipulate the system to boot from an unauthorized image instead of the legitimate verified image. This represents a critical security weakness in the device's integrity protection framework that operates at the firmware level.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms during the boot sequence. When devices initialize, they typically verify the authenticity of boot images through cryptographic signatures or checksums to ensure only trusted firmware executes. However, in affected versions, this verification process contains a flaw that allows attackers to bypass these protections and load malicious code. The vulnerability specifically impacts the primary verified image switching mechanism, meaning that even if a device is configured to boot from a known good image, an attacker can force it to load an alternative unauthorized image. This type of flaw is categorized under CWE-284 Access Control Bypass and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 Local Privilege Escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with persistent access to network infrastructure. Once exploited, an attacker can install backdoors, modify network configurations, or establish persistent command and control channels. The affected devices serve as critical network infrastructure points, making successful exploitation equivalent to compromising core network operations. The vulnerability affects both physical and virtual deployment scenarios including on-premises installations and cloud-based virtual smartzone environments, amplifying the potential attack surface. Network administrators may not immediately detect the compromise as the malicious image could appear legitimate to the device's verification system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates to versions 3.6.2.0.795 or later where the boot verification mechanism has been patched. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit lateral movement and monitor for unusual boot patterns or image changes. Additional protective measures include enabling secure boot features when available, implementing network access controls to restrict physical access to devices, and maintaining detailed inventory of all network infrastructure to quickly identify unauthorized modifications. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of firmware integrity verification in network infrastructure devices and aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-144 for embedded system security. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure components that may not be immediately apparent.