CVE-2022-40222 in QUARTZ-GOLD
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2023
An OS command injection vulnerability exists in the m2m DELETE_FILE cmd functionality of Siretta QUARTZ-GOLD G5.0.1.5-210720-141020. A specially-crafted network request can lead to arbitrary command execution. An attacker can send a network request to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2023
The CVE-2022-40222 vulnerability represents a critical operating system command injection flaw within the Siretta QUARTZ-GOLD G5.0.1.5-210720-141020 device firmware, specifically affecting the m2m DELETE_FILE command functionality. This vulnerability exposes the device to remote code execution risks through improperly sanitized user inputs that are directly incorporated into system commands without adequate validation or escaping mechanisms. The flaw exists in the device's management interface where network requests containing malicious payloads can be processed and interpreted as legitimate system commands, creating a pathway for unauthorized remote code execution.
This vulnerability falls under CWE-78, Operating System Command Injection, which is classified as a high-severity weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The technical implementation flaw occurs when the firmware fails to properly sanitize or escape input parameters received through the DELETE_FILE command, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary operating system commands. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the command execution layer, where input validation is insufficient to prevent malicious code injection. The device's network interface processes these commands without adequate sanitization, enabling an attacker to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the executing process, typically root or administrative access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it allows attackers to gain full control over the affected device. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands such as modifying system files, installing malware, creating backdoors, or exfiltrating sensitive data from the device. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from outside the device's network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior authentication. This capability significantly increases the attack surface and risk exposure, particularly in industrial IoT environments where these devices often operate with minimal security controls and may be accessible from untrusted networks.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical infrastructure, disabling unnecessary network services, and applying firmware updates from Siretta when available. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper command execution sanitization in embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual network traffic patterns and command execution attempts. Device administrators should also consider implementing network access controls, disabling unused features, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar weaknesses in other industrial control systems and IoT devices within their environment. The vulnerability highlights the need for robust security practices in embedded systems development, particularly regarding the handling of user-supplied inputs in command execution contexts.