CVE-2024-8458 in GS-4210-24PL4C Hardware 2.0
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2024
Certain switch models from PLANET Technology have a web application that is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF). An unauthenticated remote attacker can trick a user into visiting a malicious website, allowing the attacker to impersonate the user and perform actions on their behalf, such as creating accounts.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-8458 affects web applications embedded within specific switch models manufactured by PLANET Technology. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of the device's authentication mechanisms and exposes network infrastructure to unauthorized manipulation. The affected devices operate with web-based management interfaces that fail to implement adequate anti-CSRF protections, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit user sessions and execute unauthorized operations.
Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities occur when a web application fails to validate the origin of requests, allowing an attacker to craft malicious requests that appear to originate from a legitimate user. In this case, the vulnerability resides within the web application layer of PLANET switches, where the absence of proper CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms enables attackers to construct malicious web pages that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable device. The flaw specifically impacts unauthenticated remote attackers who can leverage social engineering techniques to lure users into visiting compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple account creation capabilities, as it provides attackers with persistent access to network management functions. Once a user visits the malicious website, the attacker can perform a wide range of administrative actions including but not limited to modifying network configurations, creating new user accounts, changing system settings, and potentially escalating privileges within the device's management interface. This threat model aligns with CWE-352, which categorizes CSRF vulnerabilities as weaknesses that allow attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The risk assessment for CVE-2024-8458 is particularly concerning given the nature of network switch management interfaces, which typically require high levels of security due to their role in controlling network access and traffic flow. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or network proximity to the affected devices. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which targets vulnerabilities in externally accessible services and applications. The attack vector specifically involves T1566 - Phishing, where attackers use social engineering to direct victims to malicious websites that exploit the CSRF vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate implementation of CSRF protection mechanisms such as the use of anti-CSRF tokens, proper request validation, and implementing the SameSite cookie attributes. Network administrators should also consider restricting access to switch management interfaces to trusted networks only, implementing network segmentation, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious management traffic. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of web application security in network infrastructure devices, as highlighted by industry standards that emphasize the need for comprehensive input validation and session management controls. Organizations should prioritize patching affected devices and conducting thorough security assessments of their network infrastructure to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities across their IT environment.