CVE-2024-9441 in eMerge e3-Series
Summary
by MITRE • 10/02/2024
The Linear eMerge e3-Series through version 1.00-07 is vulnerable to an OS command injection vulnerability. A remote and unauthenticated attacker can execute arbitrary OS commands via the login_id parameter when invoking the forgot_password functionality over HTTP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/05/2024
The Linear eMerge e3-Series device running firmware versions through 1.00-07 contains a critical operating system command injection vulnerability that exposes the system to remote exploitation without requiring authentication. This vulnerability exists within the forgot_password functionality of the device's web interface, specifically targeting the login_id parameter which fails to properly sanitize user input before processing. The flaw allows an attacker to inject malicious commands that will be executed with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
This vulnerability represents a classic command injection flaw that maps to CWE-77 within the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically categorized as improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates over HTTP without requiring any authentication credentials, making it accessible to any remote attacker. The vulnerability exploits the device's failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms when handling user-supplied data in the password recovery workflow. The login_id parameter serves as the attack surface where malicious payloads can be injected, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary system commands including shell commands, file operations, and network communications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to encompass full system compromise and potential lateral movement within network environments. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive system information, modify device configurations, install persistent backdoors, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. The remote and unauthenticated nature of the attack means that the vulnerability can be exploited at scale without requiring prior access to the network or knowledge of valid credentials, making it particularly dangerous for industrial control systems and network infrastructure devices. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, and T1078 for valid accounts, as it allows for privilege escalation and persistent access to the affected system.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from the vendor to address the command injection vulnerability, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to monitor and filter suspicious input patterns targeting the forgot_password endpoint, and implement proper input validation controls to prevent command injection attacks. Network administrators should also consider disabling unnecessary web services and implementing strong access controls for device management interfaces. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other networked devices, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and the potential for remote code execution in embedded systems. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices and proper security testing of network infrastructure devices to prevent exploitation of command injection flaws that can lead to complete system compromise.