CVE-2022-41018 in QUARTZ-GOLD
Summary
by MITRE • 01/27/2023
Several stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities exist in the DetranCLI command parsing functionality of Siretta QUARTZ-GOLD G5.0.1.5-210720-141020. A specially-crafted network packet can lead to arbitrary command execution. An attacker can send a sequence of requests to trigger these vulnerabilities.This buffer overflow is in the function that manages the 'no vpn basic protocol (l2tp|pptp) name WORD server WORD username WORD passsword WORD firmwall (on|off) defroute (on|off) localip A.B.C.D' command template.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2025
The CVE-2022-41018 vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the DetranCLI command parsing component of Siretta QUARTZ-GOLD G5.0.1.5-210720-141020 network security appliance. This vulnerability resides in the command line interface functionality that processes network configuration commands, specifically targeting the parsing of VPN-related configuration parameters. The flaw manifests when the system processes the 'no vpn basic protocol (l2tp|pptp) name WORD server WORD username WORD passsword WORD firmwall (on|off) defroute (on|off) localip A.B.C.D' command template, where WORD represents variable-length string parameters that are not properly validated for buffer boundaries. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software development practices where data written to a fixed-length buffer exceeds the buffer's capacity, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through carefully crafted network packets that contain oversized string values within the command parameters. When the DetranCLI component processes these malformed inputs, the lack of proper bounds checking in the command parsing function causes the stack buffer to overflow, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical memory locations. This memory corruption can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for attackers who can send malicious network requests to the device. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a command injection technique under the T1059.001 sub-technique, where adversaries leverage command line interfaces to execute malicious code.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-41018 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can lead to complete system compromise of the affected QUARTZ-GOLD device. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain full administrative control over the network security appliance, potentially enabling them to modify firewall rules, establish persistent backdoors, intercept network traffic, or use the device as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network. The affected device serves as a critical network security component, and its compromise could result in widespread network infiltration and data exfiltration. The vulnerability affects the device's configuration management system, meaning that an attacker could modify network policies and potentially disable security features that protect the network infrastructure. This creates a cascading security risk where the compromised device becomes a vector for further attacks against connected systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-41018 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected firmware version, as Siretta has likely released a security update addressing the buffer overflow issue. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of the vulnerable device to untrusted networks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual command parsing patterns or malformed network traffic. Organizations should also implement network intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential compromise of the device, along with network-wide scanning to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist in the infrastructure. Additionally, security teams should establish baseline configurations that minimize the attack surface and disable unnecessary services or features that might expose similar parsing vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and firmware management processes should be implemented to prevent similar issues from arising in the future, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and buffer management in security-critical network appliances.