CVE-2021-28802 in QTS
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2021
A command injection vulnerabilities have been reported to affect QTS and QuTS hero. If exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands in a compromised application. This issue affects: QNAP Systems Inc. QTS versions prior to 4.5.1.1540 build 20210107. QNAP Systems Inc. QuTS hero versions prior to h4.5.1.1582 build 20210217.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2021
This command injection vulnerability in QNAP QTS and QuTS hero systems represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improperly validated user input. The vulnerability exists in the web interface components where user-supplied parameters are not adequately sanitized before being processed by the underlying system commands. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets directly incorporated into system calls, bypassing normal security controls and authentication mechanisms. The affected versions include QTS prior to 4.5.1.1540 build 20210107 and QuTS hero prior to h4.5.1.1582 build 20210217, indicating a widespread impact across multiple QNAP product lines that rely on these web-based management interfaces.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization practices within the application's command execution pathways. When legitimate users provide input through web forms or API endpoints, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands. This allows attackers to inject malicious payloads that execute with the privileges of the web application process, typically running with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code injection weaknesses that have been consistently identified as high-risk flaws in web applications. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) techniques, as attackers can leverage the initial access to execute arbitrary commands and potentially escalate their privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems. Once exploited, adversaries can execute arbitrary commands with system-level privileges, potentially leading to data exfiltration, system compromise, or lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability affects QNAP devices that may serve as network infrastructure components, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent access or use them as launch points for broader attacks. Organizations running affected QNAP systems face significant risk of unauthorized data access, system manipulation, and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network credentials to compromise systems, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where QNAP devices may be exposed to external networks.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to version 4.5.1.1540 for QTS and h4.5.1.1582 for QuTS hero, as these releases contain the necessary security fixes to prevent command injection attacks. Network segmentation should be implemented to limit access to QNAP devices, particularly those exposed to external networks, while implementing strict firewall rules to restrict unnecessary traffic. Organizations should also deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns and implement web application firewalls to filter malicious input. Regular security assessments and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future releases. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input sanitization, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks, to prevent command injection attacks that can lead to complete system compromise.