CVE-2018-14558 is a critical command injection vulnerability affecting Tenda AC7, AC9, and AC10 routers. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands via a crafted goform/setUsbUnload request. The issue arises from the "formsetUsbUnload" function, which executes a dosystemCmd function with untrusted input. The severity of this vulnerability is underscored by its CVSS score of 9.8, indicating that it poses a significant risk to affected systems.
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive information and control over affected devices, leading to further exploitation within the network. Given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately to protect their infrastructure from potential breaches.
This vulnerability is publicly known and has been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog by CISA, which highlights its critical nature and the urgency for organizations to remediate. Without prompt action, organizations may face significant operational disruptions or data breaches.
To mitigate the impact of this vulnerability, users of Tenda devices should refer to official vendor guidance for firmware updates. Organizations must incorporate this into their incident response and vulnerability management processes to ensure continued security.
Vulnerability Details
An issue was discovered on Tenda AC7 devices with firmware through V15.03.06.44_CN(AC7), AC9 devices with firmware through V15.03.05.19(6318)_CN(AC9), and AC10 devices with firmware through V15.03.06.23_CN(AC10). A command injection vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands via a crafted goform/setUsbUnload request. This occurs because the "formsetUsbUnload" function executes a dosystemCmd function with untrusted input.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, classified as critical due to its high potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The vulnerability is associated with CWE-78, indicating a command injection issue.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is the lack of input validation in the "formsetUsbUnload" function, which directly calls the dosystemCmd function with user-supplied data. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate input and execute arbitrary commands on the device's operating system.
The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is low, meaning that an attacker does not require advanced skills to exploit this vulnerability. No authentication is required, and user interaction is not necessary for successful exploitation.
Given its high CVSS score, successful exploitation can lead to severe impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, hence organizations must address this vulnerability urgently.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk posed by CVE-2018-14558 includes unauthorized access to sensitive data and control over affected devices. The potential blast radius is extensive, as compromised routers can serve as entry points for further attacks within the network. Organizations relying on these devices for critical operations face significant operational risks.
With a CVSS score of 9.8, the urgency assessment is critical. Organizations should prioritize remediation efforts and deploy patches as soon as they become available to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions include Tenda AC7 with firmware versions prior to V15.03.06.44_CN, AC9 with firmware prior to V15.03.05.19(6318)_CN, and AC10 with firmware versions prior to V15.03.06.23_CN.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply updates per vendor instructions to remediate this vulnerability. If patches are not immediately available, consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitor network traffic for unusual activity.
Additionally, organizations can enhance security by conducting regular security assessments and implementing stringent access controls.
For further guidance, organizations may wish to review best practices for penetration testing as part of their security strategy.
Detection Guidance
Monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized access attempts, particularly those targeting the goform/setUsbUnload endpoint. Behavioral anomalies in network traffic may indicate exploitation attempts, and organizations should also be aware of any unexpected changes in device configurations.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
CVE-2018-14558 highlights a critical vulnerability in consumer-grade networking devices, emphasizing the need for robust security in IoT devices. The trend of increasing IoT vulnerabilities reflects the broader challenges in securing modern devices.
Security teams should prioritize understanding the implications of such vulnerabilities and implement comprehensive security measures. For additional insights, organizations may refer to our resources on penetration testing methodology and the importance of proactive security assessments.
By adopting a forward-thinking approach to security, organizations can better protect their assets against emerging threats. Additionally, reviewing vulnerability management programs can aid in the identification and mitigation of similar risks in the future.
In conclusion, CVE-2018-14558 serves as a critical reminder of the vulnerabilities present in IoT devices and the importance of maintaining a proactive security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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