CVE-2022-45768 in N300
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2023
Command Injection vulnerability in Edimax Technology Co., Ltd. Wireless Router N300 Firmware BR428nS v3 allows attacker to execute arbitrary code via the formWlanMP function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2023
The command injection vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-45768 resides within the firmware of Edimax Technology Co., Ltd. Wireless Router N300 model BR428nS version 3, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution through improper input validation. This vulnerability specifically affects the formWlanMP function, which handles wireless network management parameters within the router's web interface. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied input data, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary commands that are subsequently executed with the privileges of the web server process. Such a vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or escaping mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected router's functionality. An attacker who successfully exploits this command injection flaw can execute arbitrary code on the device, potentially leading to complete network compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or local network presence to carry out attacks. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and potential impact, as the vulnerability can be exploited from anywhere on the internet. The affected firmware version represents a common issue found in consumer-grade networking equipment where security considerations are often secondary to functionality and cost optimization.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.001 sub-technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting the execution of malicious commands through web interfaces. The attack vector leverages the router's web management interface, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard web browsing activities without requiring specialized tools or deep technical knowledge. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities are frequently exploited in botnet campaigns where compromised routers are used to launch distributed denial-of-service attacks or to create command and control channels for further malware propagation. The vulnerability's presence in firmware versions suggests a broader pattern of insufficient input validation across the product line, indicating that similar issues may exist in other components or versions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from Edimax Technology Co., Ltd. as the primary solution, as the vendor should release patched versions that properly sanitize input parameters before processing them within the formWlanMP function. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised devices and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. Additionally, disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and implementing strong access controls through firewall rules can reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider conducting regular vulnerability assessments of their networking equipment to identify similar command injection vulnerabilities across their infrastructure. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation mechanisms at the network perimeter can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits of firmware components should become standard practice to prevent similar issues in future deployments.