CVE-2024-8456 in GS-4210-24PL4C Hardware 2.0
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2024
Certain switch models from PLANET Technology lack proper access control in firmware upload and download functionality, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to download and upload firmware and system configurations, ultimately gaining full control of the devices.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8456 affects specific switch models manufactured by PLANET Technology and represents a critical access control flaw in network infrastructure devices. This weakness stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms within the firmware upload and download interfaces, creating a significant security gap that enables unauthorized remote exploitation. The vulnerability exists in the device's web-based management interface where administrative functions should require proper authentication but instead allow unrestricted access to firmware operations. Attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may not immediately detect unauthorized access attempts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-284, which describes improper access control within software systems. The flaw manifests when the switch's firmware management interface fails to validate user credentials before permitting firmware upload or download operations. This misconfiguration allows attackers to bypass normal authentication procedures and directly interact with the device's firmware management functions. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk because successful exploitation enables attackers to upload malicious firmware images that can completely compromise device functionality and potentially provide persistent backdoor access to network infrastructure. Network switches are critical components in enterprise environments where unauthorized access can lead to complete network compromise and data exfiltration.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2024-8456 extends far beyond individual device compromise, affecting entire network infrastructures that rely on PLANET switches. The vulnerability enables attackers to modify system configurations, install malicious firmware, and potentially gain root-level access to the switch operating system. This capability allows threat actors to manipulate network traffic, redirect communications, or establish persistent access points within the network environment. The remote nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit it from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or local network presence, making detection and prevention particularly challenging. Organizations using affected PLANET switches may experience unauthorized network modifications, service disruption, and potential data breaches that could affect multiple network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-8456 should prioritize immediate network segmentation and access control implementation to limit exposure to the vulnerable devices. Network administrators should disable unnecessary remote management interfaces and implement strict firewall rules that restrict access to switch management ports to trusted IP addresses only. The most effective long-term solution involves applying manufacturer-provided firmware updates that address the authentication bypass vulnerability, though administrators should verify that updates are available and test them in controlled environments before deployment. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual firmware upload or download activities, and network traffic analysis should be employed to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access control lists and multi-factor authentication for any remaining administrative access points, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other network infrastructure components.