CVE-2020-25035 in Wi-Fi Appliance
Summary
by MITRE • 02/02/2021
UCOPIA Wi-Fi appliances 6.0.5 allow arbitrary code execution with root privileges using chroothole_client's PHP call, a related issue to CVE-2017-11322.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-25035 affects UCOPIA Wi-Fi appliances running version 6.0.5, representing a critical security flaw that enables attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution with root privileges. This issue stems from a problematic PHP call within the chroothole_client component, which creates an exploitable entry point for malicious actors to gain full system control. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with privilege escalation attacks where a low-privilege user can execute commands with the highest system permissions, effectively compromising the entire appliance.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the chroothole_client PHP component that fails to properly validate or sanitize user input before processing it within the system. This allows attackers to inject malicious code through crafted input parameters that are then executed with root privileges. The flaw essentially creates a path where unauthenticated or authenticated users can manipulate the system's command execution flow, leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the system level rather than just application level, meaning that successful exploitation results in full administrative control over the affected appliance.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to wireless network infrastructure deployments that utilize UCOPIA appliances. Network administrators who rely on these devices for wireless access control face potential exposure to complete network compromise, including unauthorized access to sensitive data, man-in-the-middle attacks, and the ability to manipulate network traffic. The impact extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire wireless networks, as these appliances often serve as central management points for multiple access points and user authentication. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2017-11322 indicates a pattern of similar flaws in the UCOPIA product line, suggesting potential systemic issues in the software architecture that may affect other components or versions.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including privilege escalation and command and control operations, where attackers can establish persistent access and execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability falls under CWE-74 as it involves injection flaws where malicious data is processed without proper sanitization, and it also relates to CWE-20 which covers input validation issues. Organizations using these appliances should immediately implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices, disable unnecessary services, and apply vendor-provided patches as soon as they become available. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in embedded systems, particularly those handling network access control functions. Security monitoring should focus on unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given the root privileges required for exploitation, this vulnerability represents a critical threat to network security infrastructure and demands immediate remediation efforts to prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches across affected deployments.