CVE-2022-27000 in TR3300
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2022
Arris TR3300 v1.0.13 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability in the time and time zone function via the h_primary_ntp_server, h_backup_ntp_server, and h_time_zone parameters. 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 CVE-2022-27000 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw within the Arris TR3300 residential gateway firmware version 1.0.13. This device serves as a common consumer-grade router and modem combination that connects households to internet service providers, making it a prime target for attackers seeking persistent network access. The vulnerability specifically affects the network time protocol and time zone configuration functions, which are essential for maintaining accurate system time and proper device operation. The affected parameters h_primary_ntp_server, h_backup_ntp_server, and h_time_zone are used to configure time synchronization settings, but they fail to properly validate user input, creating an avenue for malicious command execution.
This command injection vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization within the web interface processing logic of the TR3300 firmware. When an attacker submits malicious data through any of these three parameters, the system fails to properly escape or validate the input before incorporating it into system commands. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through HTTP requests targeting the device's web management interface. The flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary shell commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated system permissions. This type of vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the compromised network infrastructure. Once exploited, adversaries can establish backdoors, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects consumer-grade networking equipment that often remains unpatched for extended periods, creating long-term exposure windows. According to ATT&CK framework techniques, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021.001 for remote services, indicating the potential for lateral movement and system compromise. The attack surface is further expanded due to the device's typical exposure to external networks through NAT traversal and default port forwarding configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27000 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Arris, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing this specific vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to isolate these devices from critical internal systems, employ strict firewall rules limiting access to the device's management interface, and consider disabling unnecessary services such as NTP server functionality when not required. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious patterns in the affected parameters and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure input validation practices and proper sanitization of user-provided data in web applications, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints may lead to inadequate security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security assessments of their network infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network devices that may be equally susceptible to command injection attacks.