CVE-2023-6926 in AM-300
Summary
by MITRE • 01/23/2024
There is an OS command injection vulnerability in Crestron AM-300 firmware version 1.4499.00018 which may enable a user of a limited-access SSH session to escalate their privileges to root-level access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6926 represents a critical privilege escalation flaw within the Crestron AM-300 device firmware version 1449900018. This issue manifests as an operating system command injection vulnerability that specifically affects users authenticated through limited-access SSH sessions. The flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, potentially compromising the entire system. The vulnerability resides in the firmware's handling of user input within the SSH session context, creating a pathway for malicious command execution that bypasses normal access controls.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the SSH session handling mechanisms of the Crestron AM-300 device. When authenticated users submit commands through the SSH interface, the system fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as shell commands. This allows an attacker with limited SSH access to inject malicious commands that are subsequently executed with higher privileges. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 as a failure to properly sanitize input before using it in system calls, which directly enables command injection attacks. The specific nature of this flaw means that legitimate administrative functions may be exploited to gain root access through crafted input sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it fundamentally undermines the security model of the Crestron AM-300 device. An attacker who gains access to a limited SSH session can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands as the root user, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This includes the ability to modify system configurations, access sensitive data, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability affects devices in industrial control environments where network segmentation and security monitoring may be less robust. The implications align with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' and T1059 which covers 'Command and Scripting Interpreter', making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where such devices are critical infrastructure components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6926 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Crestron to address the underlying command injection flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit direct access to these devices and deploy network monitoring solutions to detect suspicious SSH activity patterns. Additional controls include enabling multi-factor authentication for SSH access, implementing strict SSH key management policies, and conducting regular security audits of device configurations. The remediation process must also include comprehensive testing of updated firmware to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing system integrations. Security teams should establish monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts and maintain detailed logs of all SSH session activities for forensic analysis purposes. This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in embedded systems, particularly those deployed in critical infrastructure environments where security breaches can have significant operational and safety implications.