CVE-2024-38894 in WN551K1
Summary
by MITRE • 06/25/2024
WAVLINK WN551K1 found a command injection vulnerability through the IP parameter of /cgi-bin/touchlist_sync.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38894 represents a critical command injection flaw within the WAVLINK WN551K1 wireless router firmware. This vulnerability manifests through the improper handling of user-supplied input in the IP parameter of the /cgi-bin/touchlist_sync.cgi web interface endpoint. The device fails to adequately sanitize or validate input parameters before processing them within system commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device with the privileges of the web server process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing shell metacharacters and command separators within the IP parameter of the touchlist_sync.cgi endpoint. This allows for the injection of operating system commands that are subsequently executed by the router's embedded web server. The flaw directly maps to CWE-77 which defines command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into shell commands without proper sanitization. The vulnerability exists at the application layer within the web interface component of the router's firmware, specifically in the handling of network configuration parameters.
Operationally, this command injection vulnerability presents significant risks to network security and device integrity. An attacker could potentially gain unauthorized access to the router's command shell, allowing for complete compromise of the device and its network services. The compromised router could then be used as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network, or as a platform for launching attacks against other systems. The impact extends beyond simple device compromise as the router serves as a critical network gateway component, potentially enabling persistent access to the entire network infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically shell scripting, and T1071.004 for application layer protocols, targeting the web interface component.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from WAVLINK to address the command injection flaw in the touchlist_sync.cgi endpoint. Network administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the affected device to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary web management interfaces, implementing strong authentication mechanisms, and monitoring network traffic for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper sanitization of user-supplied data within web applications, particularly those handling network configuration parameters. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious command injection attempts targeting the affected endpoint. Regular security assessments of network device firmware and configuration management practices are essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other network infrastructure components.