CVE-2023-26320 in Xiaomi
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') vulnerability in Xiaomi Xiaomi Router allows Command Injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2023-26320 represents a critical command injection flaw within Xiaomi routers that directly impacts the security posture of affected network infrastructure. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to execute arbitrary code on affected devices. The issue manifests in the router's handling of user-supplied input that is subsequently passed to system commands without adequate sanitization or validation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the router's web interface failing to properly sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into system command executions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input strings that contain command delimiters or special characters which are then interpreted by the underlying operating system shell. This allows unauthorized users to inject arbitrary commands that execute with the privileges of the router's web server process, typically running with administrative privileges. The vulnerability exists in the router's firmware implementation where user-controllable parameters are directly concatenated into command strings without proper input validation or escaping mechanisms.
From an operational impact perspective, this command injection vulnerability enables attackers to gain complete control over affected Xiaomi routers, potentially leading to full network compromise. Successful exploitation could result in persistent backdoor access, DNS hijacking, traffic interception, and unauthorized access to connected devices. The attack surface extends beyond simple command execution to include potential privilege escalation and lateral movement within the network. Network administrators may face significant challenges in detecting such attacks since malicious commands are often executed silently and can be disguised as legitimate router operations. The vulnerability affects multiple Xiaomi router models and firmware versions, creating widespread exposure across various network environments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates provided by Xiaomi to address the command injection flaw. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the impact if exploitation occurs, while monitoring for unusual command executions and network traffic patterns should be implemented. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also implement network access controls, disable unnecessary services, and conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all network infrastructure to identify similar weaknesses. Regular security audits and penetration testing can help detect potential command injection vulnerabilities in other network components that may not be immediately apparent.