CVE-2022-0551 in Networks Guardian
Summary
by MITRE • 03/24/2022
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in project file upload in Nozomi Networks Guardian and CMC allows an authenticated attacker with admin or import manager roles to execute unattended commands on the appliance using web server user privileges. This issue affects: Nozomi Networks Guardian versions prior to 22.0.0. Nozomi Networks CMC versions prior to 22.0.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2024
The CVE-2022-0551 vulnerability represents a critical improper input validation flaw within the file upload functionality of Nozomi Networks Guardian and CMC systems. This vulnerability exists in the project file upload mechanism where the system fails to properly validate and sanitize user-provided input data. The flaw specifically impacts versions prior to 22.0.0 of both Guardian and CMC products, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on these industrial network security solutions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with administrative or import manager privileges, making it exploitable by insiders or compromised accounts with elevated permissions. This weakness falls under the CWE-20 category of Improper Input Validation, which is a fundamental software security issue that affects numerous applications and systems across various domains.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability allows an authenticated attacker to upload malicious project files that contain unattended commands which execute with the privileges of the web server user account. This command execution occurs without proper validation of the file content, enabling attackers to leverage the system's file upload functionality as a vector for arbitrary code execution. The web server user privileges typically represent a limited but still dangerous level of access, as these accounts often have sufficient permissions to manipulate system files, access sensitive data, and potentially escalate privileges further within the network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly wide because project files are commonly used for legitimate system configuration and operational purposes, making malicious file uploads less likely to raise immediate suspicion from security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to potentially compromise the entire network security infrastructure managed by Nozomi Networks products. An attacker with access to administrative or import manager accounts can use this vulnerability to gain persistent access to the appliance, modify security policies, and potentially use the compromised system as a launch point for lateral movement within the network. This risk is particularly severe in industrial environments where Nozomi Networks Guardian and CMC systems are deployed to protect critical infrastructure, as the compromise of these systems can lead to widespread security breaches affecting operational technology networks. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security controls that these products are designed to provide, creating a false sense of security for organizations that rely on them for network protection.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to Nozomi Networks Guardian and CMC versions 22.0.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches for this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file validation controls, limiting administrative privileges to only essential personnel, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file upload activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078.004 for Valid Accounts, highlighting the importance of both privilege management and behavioral monitoring. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromises. The incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and the necessity of robust input validation controls in all system components that handle user-provided data.