CVE-2022-27224 in NTS-6002
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2022
An issue was discovered in Galleon NTS-6002-GPS 4.14.103-Galleon-NTS-6002.V12 4. An authenticated attacker can perform command injection as root via shell metacharacters within the Network Tools section of the web-management interface. All three networking tools are affected (Ping, Traceroute, and DNS Lookup) and their respective input fields (ping_address, trace_address, nslookup_address). NOTE: this is disputed by the Supplier because the affected components were never shipped in a production release (they were only present in development releases), and because no privilege boundary is crossed (an applicable "authenticated attacker" always also has the supported ability to make an SSH connection as root).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27224 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Galleon NTS-6002-GPS network management interface. This security weakness exists in firmware version 4.14.103-Galleon-NTS-6002.V12 and affects the device's web-based management portal. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands. An authenticated attacker with access to the web interface can exploit this flaw by injecting shell metacharacters into specific input fields, thereby gaining the ability to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges. The affected components include three core networking tools: Ping, Traceroute, and DNS Lookup, each possessing dedicated input fields (ping_address, trace_address, nslookup_address) that serve as entry points for malicious command injection attempts.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-77 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, and specifically manifests as a command injection attack vector. The attack follows the pattern outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious commands. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it allows attackers to gain complete control over the device's underlying operating system. Since the device operates with root privileges, successful exploitation enables attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious software, access sensitive data, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The affected networking tools represent critical infrastructure components that are frequently used for network diagnostics, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited during routine network troubleshooting activities.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-27224 is severe and multifaceted, affecting both network security and device integrity. Organizations relying on Galleon NTS-6002-GPS devices for network monitoring and management face significant risks including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential disruption of critical network services. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple networking tools increases the attack surface and provides multiple potential entry points for adversaries. Network administrators who perform routine diagnostics using these tools may unknowingly execute malicious commands, creating a stealthy attack vector that could remain undetected for extended periods. The exploitation process requires only authenticated access to the web interface, which means that the vulnerability can be leveraged by insiders or attackers who have obtained valid credentials through social engineering, credential theft, or other means. The root privilege escalation aspect eliminates any barriers to executing system-level commands, potentially allowing full compromise of the device and its network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27224 should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates provided by the vendor, while implementing additional security controls to reduce risk exposure. Organizations should enforce strict access controls to the web management interface, limiting authentication to authorized personnel only and implementing multi-factor authentication where possible. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to the device's management interface from untrusted networks. Input validation and sanitization mechanisms should be strengthened at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied data undergoes rigorous filtering before being processed by system commands. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the network infrastructure. The device should be configured to disable unnecessary services and tools, particularly those that are not actively required for network operations. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network access control lists and restricting management interface access to specific IP addresses can significantly reduce the attack surface for this vulnerability.