CVE-2024-23924 in Halo9
Summary
by MITRE • 09/28/2024
Alpine Halo9 UPDM_wemCmdCreatSHA256Hash Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows physically present attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Alpine Halo9 devices. Authentication is not required to exploit this vulnerability.
The specific flaw exists within the UPDM_wemCmdCreatSHA256Hash function. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of a user-supplied string before using it to execute a system call. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root.
Was ZDI-CAN-23105
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2024
The CVE-2024-23924 vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in Alpine Halo9 UPDM_wemCmdCreatSHA256Hash functionality that enables remote code execution without authentication requirements. This vulnerability exists within the system's handling of user-supplied input during SHA256 hash creation operations, creating a dangerous attack surface where malicious actors can inject arbitrary commands through the vulnerable function. The flaw specifically manifests when the system fails to properly sanitize or validate user input before incorporating it into system calls, allowing attackers to manipulate the execution flow and gain elevated privileges.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 attack pattern category, specifically classified as command injection where untrusted data is directly executed as system commands. The weakness creates a direct path for attackers to execute arbitrary code with root privileges, as the vulnerable function operates in a context that provides administrative-level access. The lack of authentication requirements makes this particularly dangerous as it allows exploitation from any physical location where the device is accessible, eliminating the need for network-based authentication bypasses or credential theft. The attack vector is further simplified by the fact that the vulnerability requires no user interaction or complex exploitation techniques beyond physical access to the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with complete control over affected Alpine Halo9 devices, enabling them to modify system configurations, install malicious software, exfiltrate sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. Attackers can leverage the root-level execution context to manipulate device firmware, disable security features, or create unauthorized access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in a device management function suggests potential compromise of the entire network security ecosystem, as these devices often serve as critical components in industrial control systems or network monitoring environments.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the UPDM_wemCmdCreatSHA256Hash function to prevent command injection attacks. System administrators should immediately apply vendor-provided patches or firmware updates to address the vulnerability, while also implementing network segmentation to limit physical access to affected devices. The implementation of principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that system calls within the vulnerable function only execute with minimal required permissions. Additionally, regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other system components, and network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in security-critical functions and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the need for comprehensive application security controls to prevent unauthorized code execution.