CVE-2024-28008 in WG1800HP4
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2024
Active Debug Code in NEC Corporation Aterm WG1800HP4, WG1200HS3, WG1900HP2, WG1200HP3, WG1800HP3, WG1200HS2, WG1900HP, WG1200HP2, W1200EX(-MS), WG1200HS, WG1200HP, WF300HP2, W300P, WF800HP, WR8165N, WG2200HP, WF1200HP2, WG1800HP2, WF1200HP, WG600HP, WG300HP, WF300HP, WG1800HP, WG1400HP, WR8175N, WR9300N, WR8750N, WR8160N, WR9500N, WR8600N, WR8370N, WR8170N, WR8700N, WR8300N, WR8150N, WR4100N, WR4500N, WR8100N, WR8500N, CR2500P, WR8400N, WR8200N, WR1200H, WR7870S, WR6670S, WR7850S, WR6650S, WR6600H, WR7800H, WM3400RN, WM3450RN, WM3500R, WM3600R, WM3800R, WR8166N, MR01LN and MR02LN all versions allows a attacker to execute an arbitrary OS command via the internet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in NEC Corporation's wireless router and access point firmware versions, where active debug code remains enabled in production devices. The presence of debug code in deployed network infrastructure creates a significant attack surface that allows remote command execution capabilities. This issue affects a broad range of NEC networking equipment including various models from the WG and WR series, indicating a widespread problem across multiple product lines and firmware versions. The vulnerability stems from improper security hardening during the development lifecycle, where debugging functionality intended for development environments was not properly disabled in production builds, creating persistent backdoors for malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through internet-based attacks that leverage the active debug code to execute arbitrary operating system commands on affected devices. This type of vulnerability typically involves the presence of debug interfaces, command-line shells, or administrative functions that remain accessible without proper authentication mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the underlying operating system of the network devices, potentially allowing them to modify configurations, install malware, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-489, which addresses the presence of debug code in production systems, and represents a classic example of insecure configuration that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual device compromise to potentially affect entire network infrastructures. When attackers gain command execution capabilities on core networking equipment, they can manipulate network traffic, redirect connections, or disable security features that protect the organization's digital assets. This vulnerability enables attackers to move laterally within networks, potentially accessing sensitive data or disrupting business operations through denial-of-service conditions. The affected devices often serve as critical network gateways, making their compromise particularly dangerous for enterprise environments. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which involves command and scripting interpreter execution, and T1021.001, which covers remote services for lateral movement.
Organizations should immediately implement comprehensive mitigation strategies including firmware updates from NEC Corporation, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and thorough security assessments of their network infrastructure. Network administrators should disable unnecessary services, implement proper access controls, and monitor for suspicious network activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure development practices and proper security testing during the software development lifecycle, particularly for network infrastructure devices that serve as foundational components of enterprise security. Organizations must also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to these critical network components.