CVE-2023-6318 in webOS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
A command injection vulnerability exists in the processAnalyticsReport method from the com.webos.service.cloudupload service on webOS version 5 through 7. A series of specially crafted requests can lead to command execution as the root user. An attacker can make authenticated requests to trigger this vulnerability.
Full versions and TV models affected:
* webOS 5.5.0 - 04.50.51 running on OLED55CXPUA
* webOS 6.3.3-442 (kisscurl-kinglake) - 03.36.50 running on OLED48C1PUB
* webOS 7.3.1-43 (mullet-mebin) - 03.33.85 running on OLED55A23LA
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2024
This command injection vulnerability in the com.webos.service.cloudupload service represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands with root privileges on affected webOS devices. The vulnerability specifically resides in the processAnalyticsReport method, which processes incoming requests without proper input validation or sanitization. The affected webOS versions span from 5.5.0 through 7.3.1, indicating a wide range of devices are potentially compromised, including various OLED television models such as the OLED55CXPUA, OLED48C1PUB, and OLED55A23LA. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 which categorizes command injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation, making it a direct descendant of the well-known command injection attack vector that has been consistently exploited in various operating systems and applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables complete system compromise through authenticated access. Attackers can craft specially formatted requests that bypass normal input validation mechanisms, allowing them to inject malicious commands that execute with root privileges. This creates a pathway for persistent backdoor installation, data exfiltration, system monitoring, and potential lateral movement within networks where these devices operate. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only authenticated access, which is often readily available through legitimate user accounts or compromised credentials, making it particularly dangerous in consumer environments where device security may be overlooked. The root privilege execution capability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, providing attackers with comprehensive control over affected systems.
The technical implementation of this flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices within the cloud upload service component, where user-supplied parameters are directly incorporated into system command execution without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. This pattern of vulnerability exploitation is consistent with the broader category of injection flaws that have plagued software development for decades, where developers fail to properly validate or escape user input before using it in system calls or command execution contexts. The affected service appears to handle analytics reporting data that includes user-provided information, and when this data is processed through the vulnerable method, it creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious commands that are then executed with the highest system privileges. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often stem from inadequate security training for developers and insufficient code review processes that should identify and prevent dangerous input handling patterns. The vulnerability's presence across multiple webOS versions suggests that the underlying architectural flaw was not properly addressed during security updates, potentially indicating a systemic issue with how command execution paths are managed within the service framework. Organizations should immediately implement network segmentation measures to isolate affected devices, deploy firmware updates when available, and conduct thorough security assessments of all webOS-connected devices in their environments to prevent exploitation of this critical vulnerability.