CVE-2022-37097 in H200
Summary
by MITRE • 08/25/2022
H3C H200 H200V100R004 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the function SetAPInfoById.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37097 affects H3C H200 and H200V100R004 devices, representing a critical stack overflow condition that arises within the SetAPInfoById function. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental weakness in input validation mechanisms where the system fails to properly sanitize or limit the size of data processed by the affected function. The stack overflow vulnerability occurs when an attacker provides maliciously crafted input that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing the program to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. Such memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution, system instability, or complete device compromise, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in network infrastructure environments where these devices operate.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the SetAPInfoById function, which handles wireless access point information configuration. When processing input parameters related to access point configuration, the function does not adequately validate the length or content of user-supplied data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This behavior directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack memory. The vulnerability creates an ideal environment for attackers to manipulate the program execution flow by overwriting return addresses, saved registers, or other critical stack data structures. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected service, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the entire network infrastructure controlled by these devices.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-37097 extends beyond simple device compromise, as H3C H200 devices typically serve as critical network access points in enterprise and institutional environments. These devices often handle sensitive authentication data, network configuration parameters, and may serve as gateways for critical business applications. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to gain persistent access to wireless networks, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers scripting languages for execution, as attackers may use the compromised device to establish command and control channels or deploy additional malicious payloads. Network administrators face significant challenges in detecting such attacks since they may appear as legitimate configuration updates, making this vulnerability particularly insidious in environments with limited network monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37097 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from H3C, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the specific buffer overflow condition in the SetAPInfoById function. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the attack surface, particularly by isolating wireless access points from critical internal systems. Input validation controls should be enhanced at multiple layers, including network device interfaces, application-level APIs, and database input handlers to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other components. Security monitoring should include anomaly detection for unusual configuration changes or authentication patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potential buffer overflow conditions within the device firmware, and network access controls should be enforced to limit the scope of potential exploitation. The implementation of intrusion detection systems specifically designed to detect stack overflow exploitation attempts can provide additional defense in depth measures. Organizations should also consider implementing zero trust network access models where every device and user must be continuously authenticated and authorized, reducing the impact of any successful compromise.