CVE-2021-37101 in AIS-BW50-00
Summary
by MITRE • 09/09/2021
There is an improper authorization vulnerability in AIS-BW50-00 9.0.6.2(H100SP10C00) and 9.0.6.2(H100SP15C00). Due to improper authorization mangement, an attakcer can exploit this vulnerability by physical accessing the device and implant malicious code. Successfully exploit could leads to arbitrary code execution in the target device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-37101 represents a critical improper authorization flaw affecting AIS-BW50-00 series devices running firmware versions 9.0.6.2(H100SP10C00) and 9.0.6.2(H100SP15C00). This weakness falls under the CWE-285 category of Improper Authorization, which fundamentally undermines the device's ability to properly authenticate and authorize access attempts. The vulnerability stems from inadequate access control mechanisms that fail to properly validate user credentials or privileges before granting system-level access. Security researchers have classified this issue as particularly dangerous due to its physical access requirement, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1014 for Rootkit detection and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage this weakness to establish persistent access. The affected devices operate within industrial control systems and network infrastructure environments where physical security is often assumed but not always adequately enforced.
The technical implementation of this authorization flaw manifests when an attacker gains physical access to the targeted device, bypassing traditional network-based security controls that would normally prevent unauthorized access. This physical access vector creates a significant attack surface because it eliminates the need for sophisticated network reconnaissance or credential harvesting techniques. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution, which means that once physical access is obtained, an attacker can implant malicious payloads that can execute with the privileges of the device's operating system. The underlying flaw likely resides in the device's bootloader or firmware initialization process where insufficient validation occurs during system boot or user authentication phases. This weakness enables attackers to manipulate the device's operational state through direct hardware access, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2021-37101 extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential system-wide compromise and operational disruption. When exploited successfully, attackers can gain complete control over the device's functions, potentially leading to data manipulation, service disruption, or even physical safety hazards in industrial environments where these devices control critical infrastructure. The arbitrary code execution capability allows for persistent backdoor installation, enabling attackers to maintain long-term access to the compromised system. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of the affected systems, creating potential cascading effects throughout connected networks. Organizations relying on these devices for industrial automation, network monitoring, or security infrastructure may face significant operational risks including potential production downtime, data breaches, or compromised security controls. The attack vector's physical nature also suggests that traditional network-based security controls may be insufficient to prevent exploitation, requiring additional physical security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-37101 must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security posture of affected systems. The most effective immediate solution involves firmware updates from the vendor to patch the authorization implementation flaws, which should be prioritized in all affected deployments. Organizations should implement enhanced physical security controls including restricted access to device locations, surveillance monitoring, and access logging to detect unauthorized physical access attempts. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on command execution and code injection behaviors. The implementation of device integrity monitoring solutions can help detect unauthorized modifications to device firmware or configuration files. Additionally, security teams should conduct comprehensive risk assessments of all industrial control systems to identify similar vulnerabilities in other networked devices and implement regular security audits. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically addressing physical security breaches and unauthorized device access to ensure rapid detection and remediation of potential exploitation attempts.