CVE-2023-2231 in MAX-G866ac
Summary
by MITRE • 04/21/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in MAXTECH MAX-G866ac 0.4.1_TBRO_20160314. This affects an unknown part of the component Remote Management. The manipulation leads to missing authentication. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-227001 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2023
This critical vulnerability in MAXTECH MAX-G866ac firmware version 0.4.1_TBRO_20160314 represents a severe authentication bypass flaw within the remote management component. The vulnerability resides in the remote management functionality of the device, which is a core administrative interface designed to allow remote system access and configuration. The missing authentication mechanism creates a fundamental security gap that allows unauthorized parties to gain access to the device's management interface without proper credentials. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-287, which specifically addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can initiate the attack from external networks without requiring physical access to the device, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments.
The technical implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple credential bypass to encompass complete administrative control over the affected device. When authentication mechanisms are missing or improperly implemented, attackers can perform any administrative function including but not limited to changing network configurations, modifying user accounts, accessing sensitive data, and potentially using the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability's classification as critical by security researchers indicates that it represents a high-severity risk that could be easily exploited by threat actors. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts usage, and T1021 which covers remote services. The fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is potentially in use increases the immediate risk to affected organizations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for organizations that deploy MAXTECH MAX-G866ac devices in their network infrastructure. These devices, when compromised, can serve as entry points for lateral movement attacks, allowing attackers to establish persistent access to the network and potentially escalate privileges to gain control over other connected systems. The lack of response from the vendor following early disclosure indicates potential vendor negligence or insufficient security practices, leaving organizations without official patches or updates to address the vulnerability. Organizations using this equipment face immediate risks including data breaches, service disruption, and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability's age, dating back to 2016, suggests that the device may no longer receive security updates, making it particularly susceptible to exploitation. This scenario exemplifies the challenges organizations face when dealing with legacy network equipment that lacks proper security maintenance and vendor support.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of compromise. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect unauthorized access attempts and establish network access controls using firewalls and access control lists to restrict remote management access to trusted networks only. The most effective long-term solution involves replacing the affected devices with newer models that have proper authentication mechanisms and ongoing vendor support. Until replacement occurs, administrators should consider disabling remote management features entirely if they are not required, implementing strong network access controls, and monitoring for suspicious activity on the network. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all instances of this device model and ensure that appropriate controls are in place to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and vendor relationships to ensure timely patching and vulnerability remediation.