CVE-2022-36473 in B5 Mini
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
H3C B5 Mini B5MiniV100R005 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the function Edit_BasicSSID_5G.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36473 affects H3C B5 Mini B5MiniV100R005 wireless access points, representing a critical stack overflow condition that arises within the Edit_BasicSSID_5G function. This flaw exists in the device's web-based management interface, where improper input validation allows attackers to craft malicious payloads that can overwrite stack memory locations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and buffer management within the firmware's handling of SSID parameters for 5GHz wireless networks. When a remote attacker submits specially crafted data to the Edit_BasicSSID_5G function, the system fails to properly validate the input length, leading to a predictable stack corruption that can result in arbitrary code execution or complete device compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write errors. The flaw operates through a classic buffer overflow attack vector where user-supplied data exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten. This particular implementation likely involves a vulnerable function call that copies user input directly into a fixed-size stack buffer without proper length verification. The 5GHz SSID parameter handling presents an ideal attack surface since it typically accepts alphanumeric characters, special symbols, and extended character sets that can be manipulated to exceed buffer boundaries. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that the affected device operates with administrative privileges, making successful exploitation equivalent to gaining full control over the wireless access point.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for network administrators who may be unaware of the compromised device's presence within their infrastructure. The attack surface extends beyond simple device compromise to include potential network-wide impact, as wireless access points often serve as critical network entry points and may be used to establish lateral movement paths. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring physical access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where wireless infrastructure is not adequately segmented or monitored. Attackers could leverage this flaw to inject malicious code, redirect network traffic, establish persistence mechanisms, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other network segments. The attack chain would typically involve crafting a malicious SSID parameter, submitting it through the vulnerable web interface, and then triggering the buffer overflow to achieve the desired malicious outcome.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36473 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from H3C, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the specific buffer overflow condition. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of a compromised device, ensuring that wireless access points are isolated from critical network segments. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns, and establishing robust access controls for wireless infrastructure management. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing through social engineering, as attackers could potentially use the compromised device to establish persistent backdoors or conduct further reconnaissance. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit buffer overflow vulnerabilities, particularly those targeting web management interfaces of network devices. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of firmware versions and patch status for all wireless access points to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the broader network infrastructure.