CVE-2020-9084 in Taurus-AN00B
Summary
by MITRE
Taurus-AN00B versions earlier than 10.1.0.156(C00E155R7P2) have a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability. An authenticated, local attacker may perform specific operations to exploit this vulnerability. Successful exploitation may cause the attacker to obtain a higher privilege and compromise the service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2020
The Taurus-AN00B device firmware contains a critical use-after-free vulnerability that affects versions prior to 10.1.0.156(C00E155R7P2). This vulnerability resides within the device's privilege management and memory handling mechanisms, creating a significant security risk for systems running affected firmware versions. The flaw manifests when the system processes specific authenticated operations, allowing local attackers with valid credentials to manipulate memory objects that have already been freed. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, representing a classic use-after-free condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution and privilege escalation. The attack vector requires local authentication, meaning an attacker must first establish valid credentials before exploiting the vulnerability, though this does not diminish its severity given the potential for privilege elevation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper memory management during the processing of authenticated operations within the firmware's service handling components. When legitimate authenticated users perform specific sequences of operations, the system fails to properly validate object references after memory deallocation, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate freed memory regions. This type of vulnerability can be exploited through various techniques including heap spraying, memory corruption, and code injection methods that leverage the freed memory objects. The system's failure to implement proper reference counting or object lifecycle management creates an environment where attackers can reuse freed memory pointers, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and demonstrates how local privilege escalation can be achieved through memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass complete service compromise and potential system takeover. Successful exploitation allows attackers to gain elevated privileges that exceed their initial authenticated access level, potentially enabling them to modify critical system components, access sensitive data, or disrupt service availability. The affected firmware versions represent a substantial portion of deployed devices that may be vulnerable to this attack, particularly in enterprise environments where these devices are commonly used for network infrastructure management. Organizations running these vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, especially if the devices are located in network segments with limited monitoring or if default credentials are not properly changed. The vulnerability's local nature means that attackers typically need to establish a foothold within the network before exploitation can occur, though this access requirement does not eliminate the critical nature of the flaw.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 10.1.0.156(C00E155R7P2) or later, which contain the necessary memory management fixes and validation checks. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the attack surface for local exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual authentication patterns or unauthorized privilege escalation attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected devices and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place. Additional defensive measures include implementing privileged access management solutions, regular security audits, and monitoring for anomalous system behavior that could indicate memory corruption or exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of proper code review processes and memory safety testing, particularly for embedded systems and firmware components that handle privileged operations. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting similar memory corruption vulnerabilities, as these attacks often follow predictable patterns and can be detected through behavioral analysis.