CVE-2023-52032 in EX1200T
Summary
by MITRE • 01/11/2024
TOTOlink EX1200T V4.1.2cu.5232_B20210713 was discovered to contain a remote command execution (RCE) vulnerability via the "main" function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2025
The CVE-2023-52032 vulnerability represents a critical remote command execution flaw discovered in TOTOlink EX1200T routers running firmware version V4.1.2cu.5232_B20210713. This vulnerability resides within the "main" function of the device's firmware, creating a significant security risk for network administrators and end users who rely on these networking devices for their connectivity needs. The flaw allows unauthorized remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device without requiring authentication, effectively providing complete control over the router's operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the main function that processes incoming requests to the router's web interface. When the router receives specific HTTP requests containing malicious payloads, the main function fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input before processing it. This classic input validation error creates a pathway for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary shell commands directly on the underlying operating system of the device. The vulnerability falls under CWE-77 and CWE-94 categories, representing command injection and code injection flaws respectively, which are commonly exploited in network device attacks.
From an operational perspective, this RCE vulnerability poses severe risks to network security and integrity. Once exploited, attackers can gain full administrative privileges over the router, enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors for future access. The remote nature of this vulnerability means that attackers do not require physical access to the device or network proximity to exploit it. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged from anywhere on the internet, potentially affecting thousands of devices simultaneously. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1021.001 (Remote Services: Remote Desktop Protocol) as it enables remote code execution through network services.
The impact extends beyond immediate device compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures. Compromised routers can serve as launching points for lateral movement attacks within corporate networks, enabling attackers to pivot to internal systems and escalate their privileges. Network traffic interception becomes possible as attackers can manipulate routing tables, redirect DNS queries, or establish man-in-the-middle positions. Additionally, the compromised device may be used to launch further attacks against other networked systems, making it a valuable asset in broader cyberattack campaigns. The vulnerability's exploitation can also result in denial of service conditions, data exfiltration, and potential regulatory compliance violations for organizations that fail to address such critical security flaws in their network infrastructure.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from the vendor, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious network activity. Network administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and ensure that all network devices are regularly updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those handling network communications and user interactions through web interfaces.