CVE-2022-26210 in A800R
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2022
Totolink A830R V5.9c.4729_B20191112, A3100R V4.1.2cu.5050_B20200504, A950RG V4.1.2cu.5161_B20200903, A800R V4.1.2cu.5137_B20200730, A3000RU V5.9c.5185_B20201128, and A810R V4.1.2cu.5182_B20201026 were discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability in the function setUpgradeFW, via the FileName parameter. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-26210 affects multiple Totolink router models including A830R, A3100R, A950RG, A800R, A3000RU, and A810R with specific firmware versions. This command injection flaw exists within the setUpgradeFW function and specifically targets the FileName parameter, creating a critical security weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the firmware's web interface, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands that are subsequently executed by the router's underlying operating system. This type of vulnerability represents a significant risk to network security as it provides attackers with direct execution capabilities on the affected devices.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the common pattern of command injection attacks where user-controllable input is directly passed to system commands without proper sanitization. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing specially formatted FileName parameter values, the system processes these inputs without adequate validation, leading to arbitrary command execution. This weakness can be categorized under CWE-77 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')", which is a well-documented and frequently exploited vulnerability pattern in network devices. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it operates at the firmware level, providing attackers with elevated privileges and direct access to the router's operating system capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including but not limited to remote code execution, data exfiltration, network reconnaissance, and potential lateral movement within the affected network. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to install backdoors, modify router configurations, redirect traffic, or even use the compromised devices as launching points for attacks against other network segments. The severity is amplified by the fact that these routers are consumer and small office devices commonly deployed in environments where network security is often inadequate. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for devices accessible from the internet. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can use compromised routers to facilitate further network infiltration and data collection activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-26210 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Totolink as the primary defense mechanism, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks, while also considering the deployment of intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong access controls for router management interfaces, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and implement proper network access controls to prevent unauthorized access to router management interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and the critical need for regular firmware updates to address known security weaknesses in network infrastructure devices.