CVE-2021-21889 in PremierWave
Summary
by MITRE • 12/22/2021
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in the Web Manager Ping functionality of Lantronix PremierWave 2050 8.9.0.0R4 (in QEMU). A specially crafted HTTP request can lead to remote code execution. An attacker can make an authenticated HTTP request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-21889 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Web Manager Ping functionality of Lantronix PremierWave 2050 device firmware version 8.9.0.0R4 running in QEMU emulation environment. This flaw resides in the network management interface that handles ping requests, creating a pathway for remote code execution when exploited properly. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of input parameters within the ping command implementation, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent stack memory regions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an authenticated HTTP request to be sent to the affected device, indicating that while network-level access is not required, valid credentials must be obtained first. This authentication requirement places the vulnerability in the context of privilege escalation or credential compromise scenarios rather than purely network-based attacks. The buffer overflow occurs when the device processes a specially crafted ping request containing malicious input that exceeds the allocated stack buffer size, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to industrial control systems and network infrastructure managed by Lantronix PremierWave devices. The ability to achieve remote code execution through a web interface means that attackers could potentially gain complete control over the device, modify network configurations, access sensitive data, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. The QEMU environment aspect suggests this vulnerability may also affect virtualized deployments of the same firmware, expanding the potential attack surface beyond physical hardware installations.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1059.007 technique for command and script interpreter, as the remote code execution capability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification indicates the specific nature of the memory corruption issue that allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow. Organizations utilizing Lantronix PremierWave 2050 devices should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates from Lantronix, network segmentation to limit access to the web management interface, and monitoring for suspicious HTTP traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing strong authentication controls and regular credential rotation procedures can help reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the vulnerable web management interface.