CVE-2022-25017 in CHITA
Summary
by MITRE • 04/01/2022
Hitron CHITA 7.2.2.0.3b6-CD devices contain a command injection vulnerability via the Device/DDNS ddnsUsername field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2022
The Hitron CHITA 7.2.2.0.3b6-CD device represents a network infrastructure product that falls under the category of consumer-grade routers and modems commonly deployed in residential and small office environments. This particular model incorporates a web-based management interface that allows users to configure various network parameters including dynamic domain name system settings. The vulnerability exists within the Device/DDNS component of the device's firmware, specifically targeting the ddnsUsername field which serves as an input parameter for configuring dynamic DNS services. This field is designed to accept user-defined usernames for DDNS providers such as DynDNS or No-IP, making it a legitimate configuration parameter that should be properly sanitized before processing.
The technical flaw manifests as a command injection vulnerability that occurs when the device fails to properly sanitize user input submitted through the ddnsUsername field. When an attacker submits malicious input containing shell metacharacters or command delimiters, the system processes this input without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. This allows attackers to inject arbitrary commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated permissions within the device's operating environment. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of user-supplied data within the device's web interface processing logic, creating a pathway for remote code execution through the web administration interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise to encompass full system control and potential network infiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the affected device, potentially leading to complete system compromise including persistent backdoor installation, network traffic interception, or redirection of network traffic through the compromised device. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows for remote exploitation without requiring authentication, meaning that an attacker can leverage this vulnerability from outside the local network. This makes the device particularly vulnerable to automated attacks and botnet recruitment, as the vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors scanning for vulnerable devices on the internet.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-77 and CWE-94 within the CWE taxonomy, representing command injection and improper input validation respectively. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021.001 for remote services, as it enables remote command execution through web-based interfaces. The attack chain typically involves crafting malicious input containing shell commands, submitting this input through the vulnerable ddnsUsername field, and then executing commands with elevated privileges on the device. Network monitoring tools should be configured to detect unusual command execution patterns and anomalous web requests that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves applying firmware updates from Hitron that address this specific vulnerability through proper input sanitization and validation. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, and deploy network monitoring solutions capable of detecting command injection attempts. Additional defensive measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing web application firewalls, and regularly auditing device configurations to ensure that only required parameters are exposed through web interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded network devices, particularly those with web-based management interfaces that are accessible from untrusted networks.