CVE-2022-3086 in IBR600
Summary
by MITRE • 12/02/2022
Cradlepoint IBR600 NCOS versions 6.5.0.160bc2e and prior are vulnerable to shell escape, which enables local attackers with non-superuser credentials to gain full, unrestrictive shell access which may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2022
The Cradlepoint IBR600 network security device running NCOS versions 6.5.0.160bc2e and earlier contains a critical shell escape vulnerability that fundamentally compromises the device's security posture. This vulnerability resides in the device's command processing mechanisms where insufficient input validation allows maliciously crafted commands to bypass normal execution restrictions. The flaw represents a severe privilege escalation vulnerability that transforms ordinary user credentials into full administrative control over the device's underlying operating system.
This vulnerability operates through a command injection vector where the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before executing shell commands. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specific input sequences that escape the intended command context and execute arbitrary shell commands with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only non-superuser credentials to exploit, making it accessible to attackers who have gained limited access to the device through other means. The underlying technical flaw aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and CWE-20, which covers input validation issues in command execution contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is devastating for network security infrastructure. Once exploited, attackers gain unrestricted shell access to the device's operating system, enabling them to modify network configurations, install malicious software, monitor network traffic, and potentially use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This represents a complete compromise of the device's security functions, allowing attackers to bypass all network access controls and security policies enforced by the device. The vulnerability can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt network operations through configuration changes that may go unnoticed for extended periods.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest NCOS firmware version that addresses this vulnerability, implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of all network infrastructure. The device should be placed in a restricted network segment with minimal access permissions, and all administrative access should be protected through multi-factor authentication. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should implement regular vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar issues in other network devices. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and privilege separation in embedded network security devices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.004 for command and scripting interpreter. Organizations must also consider implementing network access control policies and device integrity monitoring to prevent exploitation and maintain visibility into device operations.