CVE-2024-7261 in NWA1123ACv3
Summary
by MITRE • 09/03/2024
The improper neutralization of special elements in the parameter "host" in the CGI program of Zyxel NWA1123ACv3 firmware version 6.70(ABVT.4) and earlier, WAC500 firmware version 6.70(ABVS.4)
and earlier, WAX655E firmware version 7.00(ACDO.1) and earlier, WBE530 firmware version 7.00(ACLE.1)
and earlier, and USG LITE 60AX firmware version V2.00(ACIP.2) could allow an unauthenticated attacker to execute OS commands by sending a crafted cookie to a vulnerable device.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7261 represents a critical command injection flaw within the CGI component of multiple Zyxel network appliances. This issue affects several device models including the NWA1123ACv3, WAC500, WAX655E, WBE530, and USG LITE 60AX series, all running firmware versions up to and including the specified releases. The flaw stems from inadequate sanitization of input parameters, specifically within the "host" parameter of the CGI program where user-supplied data fails to be properly neutralized before processing. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-77 as improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, which directly enables arbitrary command execution capabilities. The affected devices operate under the assumption that input validation is sufficient to prevent malicious data from being processed, creating a dangerous gap in their security architecture.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP cookies containing specially crafted payloads within the host parameter. When the vulnerable CGI program processes these malicious cookies, it fails to properly sanitize the input data, allowing attackers to inject OS commands that are subsequently executed with the privileges of the web server process. This creates a severe privilege escalation scenario where unauthenticated attackers can gain complete control over the affected network devices. The attack vector leverages the web interface's CGI functionality to execute arbitrary system commands, effectively bypassing authentication mechanisms and providing attackers with full administrative access to the compromised devices. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access points within network infrastructures. Compromised devices can be used as stepping stones for lateral movement, DNS poisoning, man-in-the-middle attacks, or as command and control servers for broader network infiltration. Network administrators face the challenge of securing multiple device models across their infrastructure, each potentially vulnerable to the same exploitation technique. The widespread nature of this vulnerability across different Zyxel product lines suggests a systemic flaw in the firmware development process, indicating that similar issues may exist in other components of the affected device families. Organizations with these devices must immediately assess their network exposure and implement emergency mitigations while planning firmware updates to address the root cause.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical network segments, implementation of network monitoring to detect suspicious cookie traffic patterns, and deployment of web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads. Device administrators should disable unnecessary web management interfaces where possible and implement strict access controls for remaining administrative interfaces. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading all affected devices to firmware versions that have been patched to properly neutralize input parameters before processing. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments across their entire network infrastructure to identify any other potentially affected devices that may share similar architectural flaws, particularly those using the same CGI framework or input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and proper sanitization in web applications, especially when dealing with network infrastructure devices that handle sensitive administrative functions.