CVE-2024-40893 in Box Software
Summary
by MITRE • 08/12/2024
Multiple authenticated operating system (OS) command injection vulnerabilities exist in Firewalla Box Software versions before 1.979. A physically close attacker that is authenticated to the Bluetooth Low-Energy (BTLE) interface can use the network configuration service to inject commands in various configuration parameters including networkConfig.Interface.Phy.Eth0.Extra.PingTestIP, networkConfig.Interface.Phy.Eth0.Extra.DNSTestDomain, and networkConfig.Interface.Phy.Eth0.Gateway6. Additionally, because the configuration can be synced to the Firewalla cloud, the attacker may be able to persist access even after hardware resets and firmware re-flashes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-40893 represents a critical command injection flaw within Firewalla Box Software versions prior to 1.979, exposing devices to authenticated remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically targets the network configuration service that operates through the Bluetooth Low-Energy interface, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate system commands through carefully crafted input parameters. The flaw allows for authenticated command injection in multiple network configuration parameters, including PingTestIP, DNSTestDomain, and Gateway6, which are part of the Ethernet interface configuration. The attack vector requires physical proximity and authentication to the BTLE interface, making it a privilege escalation vulnerability that can be exploited by attackers with limited physical access to the device.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the network configuration service. When legitimate users provide input parameters through the BTLE interface, the system fails to properly validate or escape special characters that could be interpreted as command sequences. This lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where attackers can inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the network configuration service, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability manifests in the way the system processes configuration parameters, where user-supplied values are directly incorporated into system commands without proper contextual escaping or validation mechanisms. This flaw aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is used in command contexts without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate system compromise to include persistent access capabilities that persist across device resets and firmware updates. The configuration synchronization feature with Firewalla's cloud infrastructure creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can maintain access even after standard recovery procedures. This cloud synchronization mechanism effectively provides a backdoor that allows attackers to restore compromised configurations after hardware resets or firmware re-flashes, creating a particularly concerning persistence mechanism. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the vulnerability requires only physical proximity and BTLE authentication, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise and physical access to the target device. This characteristic places the vulnerability within the ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1059.003 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell) categories, as attackers can leverage the system's native command execution capabilities to perform malicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to version 1.979 or later, which contain proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit physical access to Firewalla devices, particularly in environments where such access could be exploited. The BTLE interface should be secured with strong authentication mechanisms and access controls, while regular security audits should monitor for unauthorized configuration changes. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and unusual network traffic originating from compromised devices will help identify exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider disabling cloud synchronization features for critical deployments until proper authentication and encryption mechanisms are implemented. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in all user-facing interfaces and demonstrates how seemingly benign configuration parameters can become attack vectors when proper sanitization controls are not implemented. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network management interfaces and configuration services.