CVE-2024-23618 in SURFboard SBG6950AC2
Summary
by MITRE • 01/26/2024
An arbitrary code execution vulnerability exists in Arris SURFboard SGB6950AC2 devices. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to achieve code execution as root.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2024
The CVE-2024-23618 vulnerability represents a critical arbitrary code execution flaw in Arris SURFboard SGB6950AC2 wireless routers that exposes devices to remote exploitation without requiring authentication. This vulnerability resides within the device's firmware implementation and allows attackers to execute malicious code with the highest privileges available on the system, specifically as the root user. The flaw enables attackers to gain complete control over the affected devices, potentially compromising entire networks that rely on these consumer-grade routers for internet connectivity and local network management.
This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling within the device's web interface or network services that process user-supplied data. The technical implementation likely involves buffer overflows, injection flaws, or improper sanitization of parameters passed to system commands. The attack surface typically encompasses HTTP endpoints, command-line interfaces, or network protocol handlers that fail to properly validate or escape user input before processing. Such flaws often manifest when the device's operating system or web server component directly incorporates user-supplied values into system calls or shell commands without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) and CWE-119 (Improper Access Control) categories, where insufficient input validation creates opportunities for command injection attacks that can escalate privileges to root level.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond individual device compromise, as the SGB6950AC2 routers are commonly deployed in residential and small business environments where they serve as primary network gateways. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, redirect network traffic, steal sensitive information, or use compromised devices as launching points for attacks against other systems. The root-level execution capability allows attackers to modify firewall rules, install malicious software, access network traffic, and potentially compromise connected IoT devices or computers within the local network. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where network segmentation is minimal or absent, as the compromised router can serve as a pivot point for lateral movement throughout the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-23618 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from Arris, as the vendor has likely released patches addressing the specific vulnerability. Network administrators should implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns, and consider disabling unnecessary services or ports on affected devices. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) where attackers leverage system command execution capabilities to gain elevated privileges. Organizations should also implement network monitoring to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unexpected outbound connections or unusual traffic patterns originating from the affected devices. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure and maintaining up-to-date vulnerability management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in other network components.