-
A command injection vulnerability has recently been discovered in the Netis WF278 v2.1.40144 firmware, which can potentially lead to remote attackers' execution of arbitrary commands. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-25851, affects the config_sequence parameter in the other_para of cgitest.cgi. In this article, we'll dive deep into the technical details of the vulnerability, illustrate the exploitation process, and provide you with some critical mitigation measures.
Vulnerability Overview
-
First, let's have a closer look at the affected component and the root cause of the vulnerability.
Netis WF278 is a popular wireless router, and version 2.1.40144 is one of its firmware versions. As a device connected to the internet, it can potentially be exposed to various cyber threats. The discovered command injection vulnerability corresponds to the insecure handling of input in the config_sequence parameter of the other_para functionality in cgitest.cgi. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject malicious commands, which could subsequently result in unauthorized remote access.
Technical Details
-
The vulnerability in question is triggered through a specially crafted POST request to cgitest.cgi. The same request is malformed, taking advantage of the vulnerable config_sequence parameter to inject arbitrary commands.
Let's break down the structure of the malicious POST request
POST /cgi-bin/cgitest.cgi HTTP/1.1
Cookie: language=en_us;
User-Agent: Mozilla/5.
Host: <router IP>
Content-Length: <length>
Connection: Keep-Alive
Upgrade-Insecure-Requests: 1
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
other_para=nettcpstat_test&config_sequence="; <Injected Arbitrary Commands> ; ";&end
The key here is the config_sequence parameter present inside the POST request body. The attacker can submit an injection payload like the following:
";} <Injected Arbitrary Commands> {";
This payload will break the command structure when executed by the server, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary commands in the context of the router's environment.
Exploitation and Impact
-
If successfully exploited, this vulnerability can allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the device, which can lead to multiple attack scenarios, including:
Manipulation of firmware or device settings, which might render the router unusable.
4. Installation of backdoors or other malicious software on the router, potentially leading to further attacks.
Mitigation Measures
-
To protect your devices from such attacks, consider the following mitigation measures
1. Upgrade the firmware to the latest available version, as newer firmware versions might contain security patches addressing the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit your devices for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access.
3. Implement strong authentication measures, such as two-factor authentication (2FA), when remotely managing the router.
4. Restrict external access to the management interface and ensure that only authorized personnel can access the device.
Original References
-
To learn more about the CVE-2024-25851 vulnerability, please refer to the following sources
- CVE Details: CVE-2024-25851
- National Vulnerability Database: CVE-2024-25851
- Netis Systems: Firmware Downloads
Conclusion
-
CVE-2024-25851 is a critical command injection vulnerability affecting Netis WF278 v2.1.40144 firmware. By exploiting this vulnerability, remote attackers can potentially execute arbitrary commands on the affected wireless router, leading to various attack scenarios. In light of this discovery, it is vital to take appropriate mitigation measures and ensure your devices' safety and security.
Timeline
Published on: 02/22/2024 15:15:08 UTC
Last modified on: 03/11/2024 22:15:55 UTC