CVE-2022-36503 in Magic NX18 Plus
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
H3C Magic NX18 Plus NX18PV100R003 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the function UpdateMacClone.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-36503 affects H3C Magic NX18 Plus NX18PV100R003 network equipment, representing a critical stack overflow flaw within the device's firmware. This vulnerability manifests through the UpdateMacClone function, which processes MAC address cloning operations that are essential for network device configuration and management. The stack overflow vulnerability occurs when the device fails to properly validate input parameters passed to this function, creating a potential entry point for malicious actors to exploit the device's memory management structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and input validation within the UpdateMacClone function. When legitimate or malicious input is processed through this function, the device's stack memory receives data that exceeds allocated buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as a primary attack vector in network device exploitation. The flaw demonstrates how insufficient input sanitization can create opportunities for privilege escalation and remote code execution within network infrastructure equipment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it provides attackers with potential access to critical network infrastructure components that manage MAC address cloning functionality. Network administrators rely on these devices to maintain proper network segmentation and device identification, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where network stability and security are paramount. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, which means that attackers can target these devices from outside the network perimeter, potentially leading to complete network compromise. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing via social engineering, as exploitation often requires initial access through network reconnaissance and potentially crafted payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36503 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from H3C to address the stack overflow vulnerability within the UpdateMacClone function. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks, while also monitoring for unusual MAC address changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a stack-based buffer overflow necessitates comprehensive network monitoring for anomalous behavior patterns that could indicate exploitation, including unexpected device reboots or network traffic anomalies. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious payloads attempting to exploit this specific vulnerability, as the attack surface is particularly wide due to the remote exploitability and lack of authentication requirements. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network equipment and ensure comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.