CVE-2024-40089 in Mesh WiFi System
Summary
by MITRE • 10/22/2024
A Command Injection vulnerability in Vilo 5 Mesh WiFi System <= 5.16.1.33 allows remote, authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code by injecting shell commands into the name of the Vilo device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-40089 represents a critical command injection flaw within the Vilo 5 Mesh WiFi System firmware version 5.16.1.33 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the device naming functionality where user-supplied input is improperly validated and sanitized before being incorporated into system commands. The flaw enables authenticated attackers who have access to the device management interface to inject malicious shell commands through the device name field, effectively bypassing normal security controls and gaining unauthorized system access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization practices within the firmware's command processing pipeline. When administrators or authorized users modify the device name through the web interface, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted by the underlying shell. This creates an environment where attackers can inject command delimiters such as semicolons, pipes, or other shell metacharacters that allow arbitrary command execution. The vulnerability maps to CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection flaws in software systems where user-controllable data is passed directly to shell commands without proper sanitization. The attack vector requires authentication to the device management interface, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a fully remote threat, though the authenticated nature does not significantly reduce the severity.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation allows adversaries to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web application process, which typically runs with elevated permissions on the device. Attackers could potentially gain root access to the embedded system, install persistent backdoors, modify network configurations, access stored credentials, or exfiltrate sensitive data from connected devices. The compromised device could then serve as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network, particularly in environments where multiple Vilo devices are deployed. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 which covers command and scripting interpreter for executing malicious commands, and T1566.001 which addresses spearphishing through social engineering to gain initial access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-40089 should prioritize immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the command injection flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to the device management interfaces and enforce strict access controls through multi-factor authentication. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure should include vulnerability scanning for similar command injection flaws in other network devices. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual command execution patterns or unauthorized configuration changes. System administrators should also implement input validation controls at multiple layers, including web application firewalls and device-level sanitization, to prevent similar issues in other applications. Additionally, regular security training for personnel who manage network devices can help prevent social engineering attacks that might lead to unauthorized access to management interfaces.