CVE-2023-51197 in ROS2 Foxy Fitzroy
Summary
by MITRE • 01/31/2024
An issue discovered in shell command execution in ROS2 (Robot Operating System 2) Foxy Fitzroy, with ROS_VERSION=2 and ROS_PYTHON_VERSION=3 allows an attacker to run arbitrary commands and cause other impacts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2025
The vulnerability under discussion involves a critical flaw in the Robot Operating System version 2 implementation within the Foxy Fitzroy release, specifically affecting systems where ROS_VERSION is set to 2 and ROS_PYTHON_VERSION is configured to 3. This security weakness manifests through improper handling of shell command execution within the ROS2 framework, creating a potential attack vector that could be exploited by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue represents a significant concern for robotics and automation environments where ROS2 is deployed, as it directly impacts the integrity and security of robotic systems that rely on this middleware for communication and control.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the shell command execution pathways of ROS2 Foxy. When applications or nodes within the ROS2 ecosystem process user-provided data or configuration parameters that are subsequently passed to shell commands, the system fails to properly sanitize these inputs before execution. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled data can be interpreted and executed as shell commands by the underlying operating system. The flaw is particularly dangerous because ROS2 is designed for complex robotic systems where multiple nodes communicate and execute various tasks, making the attack surface expansive and potentially compromising entire robotic networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, potentially enabling attackers to gain full control over affected robotic systems and their underlying infrastructure. An attacker could leverage this weakness to escalate privileges, install backdoors, exfiltrate sensitive data from robotic systems, or disrupt operations by executing malicious commands that compromise the robot's functionality. In industrial settings where ROS2 is deployed for manufacturing processes, autonomous vehicles, or critical infrastructure automation, such an exploit could lead to significant operational disruptions, safety hazards, or even physical damage to equipment. The vulnerability affects not just individual robots but entire robotic ecosystems that depend on ROS2 for coordination and communication.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation mechanisms throughout the ROS2 application stack, particularly in areas where external data is processed and potentially passed to shell commands. System administrators should ensure that all user inputs are properly sanitized and that privilege separation is enforced when executing system commands. The recommended approach includes updating to patched versions of ROS2 Foxy, implementing proper command execution safeguards, and following the principle of least privilege for all ROS2 nodes and applications. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and monitoring solutions to detect anomalous command execution patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-78 which specifically addresses OS Command Injection flaws, and maps to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.004 for Windows Command Shell and T1059.002 for Unix Shell, highlighting the need for robust defensive measures against command injection attacks in robotic and automation environments.