CVE-2022-37081 in A7000R
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
TOTOLINK A7000R V9.1.0u.6115_B20201022 was discovered to contain a command injection vulnerability via the command parameter at setting/setTracerouteCfg.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37081 affects the TOTOLINK A7000R router firmware version V9.1.0u.6115_B20201022 and represents a critical command injection flaw within the web interface configuration handling mechanism. This vulnerability specifically manifests in the setting/setTracerouteCfg endpoint where the command parameter is improperly validated and processed, allowing unauthorized remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device. The flaw stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation measures that fail to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into system commands. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software applications. The affected router model represents a common consumer-grade networking device that typically operates with elevated privileges, making the potential impact of command injection particularly severe as attackers could gain full administrative control over the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete system compromise and potential network infiltration. When exploited, the command injection vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with administrative rights on the router. This could allow an attacker to modify network configurations, install malicious software, establish persistent backdoors, or even use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the local network. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to carry out attacks, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise and home network environments. The traceroute configuration endpoint suggests that the vulnerability may be accessible through normal network monitoring or diagnostic functions, potentially providing attackers with a legitimate-looking attack vector that could evade basic network security monitoring systems.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the techniques related to command and control operations and privilege escalation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 which addresses exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation measures including firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sanitization in web applications, especially those handling user-supplied data that may be passed to system-level functions. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls, restricting administrative access to only trusted networks, and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to identify similar vulnerabilities across the organization's attack surface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal prerequisites and can be automated through various attack frameworks, making it particularly attractive to threat actors. The lack of proper input validation in the web interface means that attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass standard security controls, potentially allowing them to execute commands such as modifying firewall rules, accessing sensitive configuration files, or even installing rootkits on the affected device. Network administrators should also consider the broader implications for network security, as compromised routers can serve as persistent threats that allow attackers to maintain long-term access to network resources. The vulnerability underscores the necessity for robust security practices in embedded systems and network infrastructure devices, which often receive less security attention than traditional computing platforms but represent critical attack vectors in modern network environments.