CVE-2023-52026 in EX1800T
Summary
by MITRE • 01/12/2024
TOTOlink EX1800T V9.1.0cu.2112_B20220316 was discovered to contain a remote command execution (RCE) vulnerability via the telnet_enabled parameter of the setTelnetCfg interface
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2024
The CVE-2023-52026 vulnerability represents a critical remote command execution flaw in TOTOlink EX1800T routers running firmware version V9.1.0cu.2112_B20220316. This vulnerability exists within the setTelnetCfg interface of the router's web management system, specifically targeting the telnet_enabled parameter. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device remotely without authentication, creating a severe security risk for network infrastructure. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it provides attackers with direct control over the router's operating system and network configuration capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the setTelnetCfg interface. When the telnet_enabled parameter receives user-supplied input, the system fails to properly validate or escape the data before processing it within the command execution context. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability where attacker-controlled input can be interpreted as shell commands by the underlying operating system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code injection flaws respectively. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1021.001 (Remote Services: Remote Desktop Protocol) as attackers can leverage the compromised router for further network reconnaissance and lateral movement.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-52026 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access to router configuration. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the network gateway, potentially leading to man-in-the-middle attacks, DNS poisoning, traffic interception, and full network compromise. The vulnerability affects not just individual devices but entire networks that rely on the compromised router for internet connectivity and internal network services. Network administrators may face significant challenges in detecting exploitation attempts, as legitimate telnet functionality could mask malicious activity. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for home users and small businesses that may lack proper network monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate firmware updates from TOTOlink, which would address the input validation issues in the setTelnetCfg interface. Network administrators should disable unnecessary services such as telnet and SSH if they are not required for legitimate operations, implementing the principle of least privilege. Network segmentation and firewall rules can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to the router management interfaces from untrusted networks. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems and monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices, particularly input validation and command execution sanitization, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST SP 800-53 security controls. Organizations should also consider network access control policies and regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar flaws in other network infrastructure components.