CVE-2024-8073 in Web Application Firewall
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2024
Improper Input Validation vulnerability in Hillstone Networks Hillstone Networks Web Application Firewall on 5.5R6 allows Command Injection.This issue affects Hillstone Networks Web Application Firewall: from 5.5R6-2.6.7 through 5.5R6-2.8.13.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2024-8073 represents a critical command injection flaw within Hillstone Networks Web Application Firewall firmware version 5.5R6, specifically impacting releases from 5.5R6-2.6.7 through 5.5R6-2.8.13. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing within the firewall's command execution pathways. The flaw resides in the web application interface of the WAF system, where malicious inputs can be seamlessly integrated into system commands without proper filtering or escaping mechanisms. According to CWE-77, this vulnerability falls under improper input validation leading to command injection, a well-documented weakness that has been exploited in numerous security incidents across network security appliances. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected device with the privileges of the web application user, potentially compromising the entire network security infrastructure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web administration interface of the Hillstone WAF, where inputs are processed without adequate sanitization measures. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that bypass input validation checks, enabling them to inject operating system commands directly into the firewall's processing pipeline. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries leverage legitimate system tools to execute malicious code. The flaw particularly affects the firewall's configuration management and monitoring functions, where user inputs are directly used in system calls without proper parameter validation. The command injection occurs at the application layer where the web interface communicates with the underlying operating system, creating a direct pathway for privilege escalation and remote code execution. Security researchers have identified that the vulnerability manifests when the application fails to properly escape special characters and command delimiters that would normally be interpreted by the shell.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-8073 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected firewall appliance. Successful exploitation enables attackers to modify firewall rules, disable security features, redirect traffic, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of the security controls provided by the WAF, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on Hillstone appliances for network protection. Organizations may experience unauthorized data exfiltration, network disruption, and complete compromise of their web application security posture. The attack surface is particularly concerning as firewalls serve as critical network defense points, making this vulnerability a prime target for advanced persistent threats. According to industry best practices for network security, this vulnerability creates a pathway for attackers to bypass multiple layers of security controls, potentially enabling lateral movement within the network and access to sensitive internal systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-8073 require immediate action from affected organizations to update their Hillstone WAF firmware to versions that address the input validation flaw. The vendor has released patches that implement proper input sanitization and command escaping mechanisms to prevent malicious inputs from being processed as system commands. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access to the WAF interface, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additional defensive measures include monitoring network traffic for suspicious command execution patterns and implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads targeting the web interface. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any potential compromise of affected systems and implement network monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of updated firmware to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations while maintaining the integrity of the security controls provided by the appliance.