CVE-2024-1655 in ExpertWiFi EBM63
Summary
by MITRE • 04/15/2024
Certain ASUS WiFi routers models has an OS Command Injection vulnerability, allowing an authenticated remote attacker to execute arbitrary system commands by sending a specially crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2024
The CVE-2024-1655 vulnerability represents a critical operating system command injection flaw discovered in specific ASUS WiFi router models, presenting a significant security risk to network infrastructure. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. The flaw exists within the web interface of affected ASUS router firmware, creating an attack surface that allows authenticated remote adversaries to manipulate the underlying operating system through crafted HTTP requests. The vulnerability affects multiple ASUS router models including but not limited to the RT-AC86U, RT-AC3200, and RT-AC5300 series, all of which utilize the same vulnerable firmware components.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the router's web administration interface. When an authenticated user submits a specially crafted HTTP request containing malicious command sequences, the router's processing logic fails to properly sanitize the input before executing it as part of the system command. This allows an attacker to inject arbitrary shell commands that are then executed with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with root or administrator privileges within the router's operating system. The attack vector requires authentication, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials for the router's web interface, though this credential requirement does not significantly mitigate the risk given that many routers ship with default credentials or have been previously compromised through other means. The vulnerability enables full system compromise, allowing attackers to gain persistent access to the network infrastructure and potentially escalate privileges to execute commands with elevated system permissions.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1655 extends far beyond simple remote code execution, creating a comprehensive attack surface for network infiltration and persistent surveillance. Once exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to modify router configurations, redirect network traffic, establish backdoors for future access, and potentially use the compromised router as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network. This capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically shell scripting, and T1021.001 for remote services. The compromised router can serve as a persistent command and control node, enabling attackers to conduct long-term surveillance operations, perform man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the device as a launching point for broader network reconnaissance. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where router compromise can lead to complete network infiltration, data exfiltration, and disruption of business operations. Organizations with multiple affected routers face exponential risk, as compromising one device provides attackers with a foothold for lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1655 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security posture improvements. The most critical immediate action is to update the affected ASUS router firmware to versions that contain patches addressing this vulnerability, typically released by ASUS in their security advisories. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of router compromise, ensuring that critical network segments are isolated from potentially compromised devices. Access controls should be strengthened through mandatory credential changes, implementation of multi-factor authentication, and regular credential rotation policies. Network monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unexpected command execution patterns or unusual network routing behavior. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network access control lists to restrict administrative access to router interfaces and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify malicious command injection attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure components, while maintaining updated security baselines and ensuring that all network devices receive timely security updates to prevent future exploitation attempts.