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CVE-2021-21805: Critical Vulnerability in Advantech R-SeeNet

A critical OS Command Injection vulnerability exists in Advantech R-SeeNet v2.4.12, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands. Immediate action is required to mitigate risks associated with this vulnerability.

CRITICALCVSS 9.8 · Published August 5, 2021

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CVE-2021-21805 is a critical OS Command Injection vulnerability present in the ping.php script of Advantech R-SeeNet version 2.4.12. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary OS commands through specially crafted HTTP requests. Due to its high severity with a CVSS score of 9.8, organizations utilizing this software must prioritize remediation efforts. The potential for exploitation and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are significant, making it imperative for defenders to act swiftly.

The vulnerability has been assessed as critical due to its exploitability and the potential impact on affected systems. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access and control over the system, leading to severe consequences for organizations.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The risk to organizations includes unauthorized access and significant disruption to normal operations. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is essential to assess the exposure of impacted systems and implement necessary safeguards.

As of now, there are no known exploits publicly available for this vulnerability, but the risk remains high due to the critical nature of the vulnerability and the ease of exploitation.

Vulnerability Details

An OS Command Injection vulnerability exists in the ping.php script functionality of Advantech R-SeeNet v 2.4.12. A specially crafted HTTP request can lead to arbitrary OS command execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-78, which pertains to OS Command Injection.

The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating critical severity. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and no privileges required, making it easily exploitable. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all high.

The vulnerability was published on August 5, 2021, and is classified as Modified in the CVE database.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2021-21805 is inadequate input validation in the ping.php script, which allows an attacker to manipulate HTTP requests to execute arbitrary OS commands. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no user interaction, and it can be exploited remotely.

The attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker with minimal skill can exploit this vulnerability. No privileges are required to perform the attack, and user interaction is not needed, which further increases the risk.

Confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability is substantial. Given its critical nature, organizations running the affected version of Advantech R-SeeNet are at high risk of exploitation. The blast radius could be extensive, allowing attackers to execute commands that could compromise sensitive data and disrupt operations.

Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability based on their implementation of Advantech R-SeeNet. The urgency for remediation is critical, and organizations must act quickly to ensure their systems are secured against potential exploitation.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected version for this vulnerability is Advantech R-SeeNet v2.4.12. If version information is missing, organizations should consider all versions prior to vendor patch.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations must prioritize updating to the latest version of Advantech R-SeeNet. If a patch is not immediately available, consider implementing network controls to limit access to the vulnerable script and monitoring for unusual activity.

For more information on effective remediation strategies, organizations can refer to resources on penetration testing and security best practices.

Detection Guidance

Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, such as unusual requests to the ping.php script. Behavioral anomalies in system performance or unexpected command execution should also trigger alerts.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

CVE-2021-21805 highlights the ongoing risks associated with command injection vulnerabilities. Organizations must remain vigilant and proactive in their security measures to prevent such vulnerabilities from being exploited.

For a deeper understanding of penetration testing methodologies, organizations should explore our guides on penetration testing methodology, the importance of a vulnerability management program, and the significance of API security testing in securing applications.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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