CVE-2020-9436 in TC ROUTER 3002T-4G
Summary
by MITRE
PHOENIX CONTACT TC ROUTER 3002T-4G through 2.05.3, TC ROUTER 2002T-3G through 2.05.3, TC ROUTER 3002T-4G VZW through 2.05.3, TC ROUTER 3002T-4G ATT through 2.05.3, TC CLOUD CLIENT 1002-4G through 2.03.17, and TC CLOUD CLIENT 1002-TXTX through 1.03.17 devices allow authenticated users to inject system commands through a modified POST request to a specific URL.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-9436 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting multiple PHOENIX CONTACT industrial networking devices including TC ROUTER and TC CLOUD CLIENT models. This vulnerability exists within the web-based management interfaces of these devices, which are commonly deployed in industrial environments for remote monitoring and control applications. The affected firmware versions span across several product lines including 3002T-4G, 2002T-3G, and various cloud client variants, indicating a widespread impact across PHOENIX CONTACT's industrial networking portfolio. The vulnerability specifically resides in how these devices handle POST requests to particular URLs within their web interfaces, creating a pathway for authenticated users to execute arbitrary system commands on the affected devices.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which describes command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers with authenticated access to these devices can manipulate POST request parameters to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process. This represents a significant escalation from simple privilege escalation to full system compromise, as the injected commands can potentially access sensitive system resources, modify device configurations, or even establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access, which is often more easily obtained than unauthenticated exploitation methods.
Operationally, this vulnerability poses severe risks to industrial control systems and network infrastructure deployments where these devices are utilized. The affected devices typically serve as critical communication nodes in industrial environments, managing remote access and cloud connectivity for various industrial processes. An attacker who gains authenticated access could potentially disrupt operations, compromise data integrity, or even cause physical damage to industrial processes by manipulating device behavior. The impact extends beyond simple data compromise as these devices often control network connectivity and communication protocols that are essential for industrial operations, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to disrupt critical infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in firmware versions up to 2.05.3 indicates that organizations may have been exposed to this risk for an extended period without awareness.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from PHOENIX CONTACT to address the command injection flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to these devices, ensuring that only authorized personnel can reach the management interfaces. Additional protective measures include implementing strong authentication mechanisms, monitoring network traffic for suspicious POST requests, and establishing robust access control policies. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for credential harvesting, as attackers would need to first obtain valid credentials before exploiting this flaw. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other industrial control system components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the need for comprehensive security reviews of industrial networking equipment.