CVE-2025-2172 in Controller
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2025
Aviatrix Controller versions prior to 7.1.4208, 7.2.5090, and 8.0.0 fail to sanitize user input prior to passing the input to command line utilities, allowing command injection via special characters in filenames
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-2172 affects Aviatrix Controller deployments across multiple version branches including 7.1.x prior to 7.1.4208, 7.2.x prior to 7.2.5090, and 8.0.0. This represents a critical command injection flaw that arises from inadequate input sanitization within the controller's processing pipeline. The vulnerability specifically manifests when user-provided filenames containing special characters are processed and subsequently passed to underlying command line utilities without proper validation or escaping mechanisms. The flaw resides in the controller's handling of user-supplied data during file operations, where the system fails to properly sanitize input before executing system commands that could potentially be manipulated by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of filename parameters that contain special characters such as semicolons, pipes, or backticks which are commonly used in command injection attacks. When these malformed filenames are processed by the controller, the system passes the unsanitized input directly to command line utilities, creating an opportunity for attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the controller process. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-78, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, making it a well-documented and dangerous class of vulnerability in cybersecurity contexts. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it leverages legitimate system functionality to execute arbitrary code, bypassing traditional security controls that might monitor network traffic or user inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, potentially allowing attackers to gain complete control over the affected Aviatrix Controller instances. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to access sensitive configuration data, modify network security policies, escalate privileges to administrative levels, or even use the compromised controller as a pivot point to attack other systems within the network infrastructure. The Aviatrix Controller serves as a critical component in cloud networking and security orchestration, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on the platform for their cloud security operations. The vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK framework technique T1059.001, which covers command and scripting interpreter, specifically focusing on the execution of malicious commands through legitimate system utilities. Organizations utilizing Aviatrix solutions may face significant operational disruptions, including potential data breaches, unauthorized access to cloud resources, and compromise of network security controls that depend on the integrity of the controller.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate deployment of the patched versions of Aviatrix Controller software across all affected environments. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to versions 7.1.4208, 7.2.5090, or 8.0.0 respectively, depending on their current deployment. Additionally, security teams should implement monitoring for unusual command execution patterns and conduct thorough security assessments of their Aviatrix environments to identify any potential compromise. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper sanitization practices in security-critical applications, particularly those that interface with system-level utilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessment programs to identify similar weaknesses in their cloud infrastructure deployments.