CVE-2021-41316 in Main Appliance
Summary
by MITRE • 09/17/2021
The Device42 Main Appliance before 17.05.01 does not sanitize user input in its Nmap Discovery utility. An attacker (with permissions to add or edit jobs run by this utility) can inject an extra argument to overwrite arbitrary files as the root user on the Remote Collector.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-41316 affects the Device42 Main Appliance version 17.05.01 and earlier, specifically within its Nmap Discovery utility functionality. This represents a critical security flaw that stems from insufficient input sanitization mechanisms within the appliance's job execution framework. The vulnerability exists in the remote collector component that processes discovery jobs, creating a pathway for privilege escalation and arbitrary file manipulation. The issue is particularly concerning because it allows an attacker with limited permissions to potentially gain root-level access to the underlying system through carefully crafted input injection techniques.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of job parameters within the Nmap Discovery utility where user-provided input is not properly validated or sanitized before being processed. When an attacker with permissions to add or edit jobs can inject additional arguments into the command execution flow, they can leverage this to overwrite arbitrary files on the remote collector system with root privileges. This occurs because the system does not properly escape or validate special characters in user input, allowing command injection that bypasses normal access controls and executes with elevated privileges. The flaw essentially creates a path where legitimate administrative functionality becomes a vector for unauthorized system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file overwriting capabilities to encompass full system compromise potential. An attacker who can manipulate discovery jobs can potentially overwrite critical system files, modify configuration parameters, or inject malicious code that persists across system reboots. This vulnerability effectively undermines the principle of least privilege since it allows privilege escalation from a user with limited permissions to root access. The implications are particularly severe in network infrastructure monitoring environments where Device42 appliances are commonly deployed, as these systems often require elevated privileges to function properly and are frequently targeted by adversaries seeking persistent access to network environments.
Organizations utilizing Device42 appliances should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the vendor-provided patch version 17.05.01 or later that addresses the input sanitization issues. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit the number of users who can create or modify discovery jobs, thereby reducing the attack surface. Monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous job creation or modification patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-78 categories related to command injection and improper input validation, and it maps to ATT&CK techniques including privilege escalation through command injection and persistence mechanisms. Regular security audits of job execution frameworks and input validation processes should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other system components.