CVE-2022-31137 in Roxy-WI
Summary
by MITRE • 07/09/2022
Roxy-WI is a web interface for managing Haproxy, Nginx, Apache and Keepalived servers. Versions prior to 6.1.1.0 are subject to a remote code execution vulnerability. System commands can be run remotely via the subprocess_execute function without processing the inputs received from the user in the /app/options.py file. Attackers need not be authenticated to exploit this vulnerability. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2022
The CVE-2022-31137 vulnerability represents a critical remote code execution flaw in Roxy-WI, a popular web-based management interface for load balancer and proxy servers including HAProxy, Nginx, Apache, and Keepalived. This vulnerability exists within the application's handling of user inputs in the /app/options.py file, specifically within the subprocess_execute function that processes system commands. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to network infrastructure managed through the interface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the subprocess_execute function, which directly executes system commands without proper parameter filtering or escaping mechanisms. This design flaw aligns with CWE-78, which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, making it a classic example of command injection vulnerability. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by the fact that no authentication is required to exploit it, meaning any remote attacker can leverage this weakness without needing valid credentials. The attack surface extends to all versions prior to 6.1.1.0, indicating this was a persistent flaw that affected a significant portion of the user base.
From an operational perspective, the implications of this vulnerability are severe as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web application user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability allows for lateral movement within networks where Roxy-WI is deployed, as attackers can use it to escalate privileges, install backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive configuration data from the managed servers. Given that Roxy-WI manages critical infrastructure components like load balancers and reverse proxies, successful exploitation could disrupt services, enable man-in-the-middle attacks, or provide attackers with persistent access to network resources. The lack of authentication requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited at scale without additional reconnaissance or credential harvesting.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-31137 centers entirely on upgrading to Roxy-WI version 6.1.1.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues in the subprocess_execute function. Organizations should immediately prioritize this upgrade across all affected systems and implement network segmentation to limit exposure of Roxy-WI interfaces to untrusted networks. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution patterns, and access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized personnel can interact with the management interface. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and additional monitoring controls to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.