CVE-2022-34845 in R1510
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2022
A firmware update vulnerability exists in the sysupgrade functionality of Robustel R1510 3.1.16 and 3.3.0. A specially-crafted network packet can lead to arbitrary firmware update. An attacker can send a sequence of requests to trigger this vulnerability.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-34845 represents a critical security flaw in the firmware update mechanism of Robustel R1510 industrial wireless routers. This issue specifically affects firmware versions 3.1.16 and 3.3.0, where the sysupgrade functionality contains a design flaw that allows unauthorized arbitrary firmware updates. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the upgrade process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the device's firmware through network-based attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted network packets that trigger the firmware update process without proper authorization. Attackers can send a sequence of requests to the affected device, bypassing normal security controls that should prevent unauthorized firmware modifications. This weakness falls under the CWE-20 category of "Improper Input Validation" and represents a significant bypass of security controls that should normally protect against unauthorized system modifications. The vulnerability essentially allows for a privilege escalation attack where an unauthenticated remote attacker can gain control over the device's firmware update mechanism, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to industrial networks that rely on Robustel R1510 devices for critical communications infrastructure. The ability to perform arbitrary firmware updates remotely without authentication creates opportunities for persistent threats to install backdoors, modify network configurations, or establish long-term access to industrial control systems. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1072 which involves the use of legitimate credentials and system tools for persistence and privilege escalation. The impact extends beyond simple device compromise as industrial networks often rely on these devices for critical infrastructure operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments such as manufacturing plants, energy grids, or transportation systems where device reliability and security are paramount.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, disabling unnecessary network services, and applying firmware updates from Robustel when available. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in firmware update requests, and access controls should be implemented to restrict network access to only authorized personnel. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure firmware update mechanisms and proper authentication procedures, emphasizing the need for robust security practices in industrial IoT deployments. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network infrastructure devices that may be susceptible to similar flaws in their update mechanisms.