CVE-2023-3306 in RG-EW1200G
Summary
by MITRE • 06/18/2023
A vulnerability was found in Ruijie RG-EW1200G EW_3.0(1)B11P204. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the file app.09df2a9e44ab48766f5f.js of the component Admin Password Handler. The manipulation leads to improper access controls. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. VDB-231802 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2023
This critical vulnerability in Ruijie RG-EW1200G EW_3.0(1)B11P204 represents a severe access control flaw within the administrative password handling component. The vulnerability exists in the app.09df2a9e44ab48766f5f.js file which is part of the Admin Password Handler module, indicating a fundamental weakness in how the device manages administrative credentials and access permissions. The improper access controls stem from insufficient validation mechanisms that allow unauthorized parties to manipulate the authentication flow and potentially gain administrative privileges without proper authorization. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the core administrative functionality of the network device, potentially enabling attackers to completely compromise the device's management interface and underlying network security posture.
The technical implementation of this flaw suggests that the application code lacks proper input validation and authentication checks within the password handling logic. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control issues, and potentially CWE-352 which covers cross-site request forgery vulnerabilities. The attack vector being remote indicates that threat actors can exploit this weakness without physical access to the device, making it highly dangerous in networked environments where such devices are typically exposed to external networks. The fact that the exploit has been publicly disclosed and is potentially in use means that attackers can leverage this vulnerability immediately without requiring advanced technical skills or zero-day knowledge.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass complete network compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain full administrative control over the Ruijie router, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors. This represents a significant risk to network security as the device serves as a critical network gateway and firewall component. The vulnerability affects not just the device itself but the entire network infrastructure it protects, as it could enable lateral movement and privilege escalation attacks against connected systems. Organizations relying on this device for network security are particularly at risk, as the compromise of a single device could lead to widespread network infiltration and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through firmware updates from Ruijie, though the lack of vendor response creates additional urgency for organizations to implement alternative protective measures. Network segmentation and access control policies should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of a successful exploitation attempt. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious authentication attempts or unusual network behavior that might indicate exploitation. The vulnerability's classification as critical according to CVSS scoring systems indicates that immediate action is required, as the potential for widespread damage and data compromise is significant. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of all Ruijie devices in their network inventory and implement network access controls to restrict unauthorized access to administrative interfaces. Additionally, organizations should consider network intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on exploitation attempts targeting known administrative interfaces and authentication endpoints.