CVE-2020-9122 in HiRouter-CD30-10
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2020
Some Huawei products have an insufficient input verification vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability in the LAN to cause service abnormal on affected devices.Affected product versions include:HiRouter-CD30-10 version 10.0.2.5;HiRouter-CT31-10 version 10.0.2.20;WS5200-12 version 10.0.1.9;WS5281-10 version 10.0.5.10;WS5800-10 version 10.0.3.25;WS7100-10 version 10.0.5.21;WS7200-10 version 10.0.5.21.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9122 represents a critical input validation weakness present in multiple Huawei networking devices including HiRouter and WS series routers. This flaw resides in the network interface processing mechanisms where insufficient verification of incoming data packets allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted inputs that can disrupt normal device operations. The vulnerability specifically affects devices operating on particular firmware versions, with impacted models ranging from HiRouter-CD30-10 through various WS5000 and WS7000 series devices. The security implications stem from the device's failure to properly validate input parameters before processing them, creating an avenue for service disruption attacks that can be executed from within the local network segment.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a classic insufficient input validation issue that aligns with CWE-20, which categorizes improper input validation as one of the most fundamental security weaknesses in software development. The flaw enables attackers to exploit the device's network processing capabilities by sending malformed or unexpected data packets that bypass normal validation checks. When these crafted inputs reach the device's processing engine, they can cause the system to behave unexpectedly, leading to service abnormalities that may include denial of service conditions, system instability, or complete service disruption. The vulnerability's local network exploitation requirement means that attackers must already have access to the same network segment as the target device, though this access requirement does not significantly reduce the threat level given the potential for internal network compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9122 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader network reliability concerns for organizations relying on affected Huawei devices. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can cause intermittent connectivity issues, network outages, or complete device failure that affects business operations and network availability. Organizations with critical network infrastructure depending on these affected devices face potential downtime that could impact productivity, customer service delivery, and overall network performance. The vulnerability particularly concerns network administrators managing enterprise environments where these devices serve as core network components, as the disruption could cascade across multiple network segments depending on the device's role in the network topology.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by Huawei to address the specific input validation gaps. Network administrators must prioritize patching affected devices with the latest firmware versions that contain the necessary security fixes to prevent exploitation. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit potential attack vectors by restricting unauthorized access to the network segments containing vulnerable devices. Monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns or malformed packets can provide early detection of exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive network logging helps in forensic analysis if incidents occur. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-20 and its operational characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves network disruption through manipulation of network infrastructure devices, emphasizing the need for robust device validation and access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to network equipment.