An issue was discovered on GL.iNet devices before 3.216. There is an arbitrary file write in which an empty file can be created anywhere on the filesystem. This is caused by a command injection vulnerability with a filter applied. The vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.5, categorizing it as high severity. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate risk.
Risk to organizations includes significant integrity impacts, as attackers may leverage this vulnerability to create or manipulate files on affected devices. The exposure of critical systems to unauthorized file modifications can lead to further exploitation or compromise. Given its high CVSS score, organizations must take swift action to secure their devices.
Currently, there are no known public exploits or proof-of-concept (PoC) available for this vulnerability, which suggests that while it is severe, it has not yet been widely exploited. However, the potential for exploitation remains high, given the nature of the vulnerability.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle, ensuring that all affected firmware versions are updated to the latest secure releases.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability allows arbitrary file writes due to a command injection issue. The CVSS 3.1 vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N, indicating a network attack vector with low complexity and no privileges required. It primarily affects the integrity of the system without impacting confidentiality or availability.
The affected products include various firmware versions for GL.iNet devices such as gl-s20_firmware, gl-x3000_firmware, and others, all prior to version 3.216. The vulnerability was published on May 9, 2023, and falls under the CWE-770 classification.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation, allowing command injection. An attacker can exploit this flaw to write arbitrary files to the file system, which can lead to unauthorized modifications of system files, potentially compromising the integrity of the device.
The attack vector is network-based, requiring no local access or special privileges. The attack complexity is low, meaning an attacker does not need advanced skills to exploit this vulnerability. Since user interaction is not required, it can be executed remotely, increasing the threat level.
The vulnerability impacts the integrity of the system severely but does not affect confidentiality or availability, which means that while data may not be stolen or lost, it can be altered maliciously.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with this vulnerability is substantial, especially for organizations deploying GL.iNet devices in sensitive environments. The potential for an attacker to manipulate system files can lead to service disruptions or unauthorized access to sensitive data and applications.
Given the integrity impact, the blast radius can be significant if the device is integrated into critical network infrastructure. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing proper security measures.
Organizations should monitor their systems for any anomalies that may suggest exploitation attempts. Due to the high CVSS score and the nature of the vulnerability, it is crucial to address it with urgency.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to the vendor patch (3.216) are affected. Specifically, the vulnerable firmware includes gl-s20_firmware, gl-x3000_firmware, gl-mt3000_firmware, gl-mt2500_firmware, gl-mt2500a_firmware, gl-axt1800_firmware, gl-a1300_firmware, gl-ax1800_firmware, gl-sft1200_firmware, gl-mt1300_firmware, gl-e750_firmware, gl-mv1000_firmware, gl-mv1000w_firmware, gl-s10_firmware, gl-s200_firmware, gl-s1300_firmware, gl-sf1200_firmware, gl-b1300_firmware, gl-b2200_firmware, gl-ap1300_firmware, gl-ap1300lte_firmware, gl-x1200_firmware, gl-x750_firmware, gl-x300b_firmware, gl-xe300_firmware, gl-ar750s_firmware, gl-ar750_firmware, gl-mifi_firmware, gl-mt300n-v2_firmware, gl-ar300m_firmware, gl-usb150_firmware, and microuter-n300_firmware.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize updating GL.iNet devices to firmware version 3.216 or later to remediate this vulnerability. If immediate patching is not possible, consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure and monitor for unusual file activity on the devices.
In addition, reviewing the configuration of affected devices to ensure that only necessary services are running and implementing strict firewall rules can help mitigate the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security assessments and audits can also assist in identifying and remediating vulnerabilities.
Organizations should validate remediation through penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor logs for unauthorized file modifications and review system integrity checks regularly. Implementing alerts for unusual patterns of file creation can help identify attacks in progress.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
This vulnerability represents an ongoing trend in firmware security where command injection flaws lead to critical integrity risks. Security teams should evaluate their current firmware configurations to identify potential weaknesses, ensuring that they adopt a proactive approach to security.
For guidance on improving security posture and reducing vulnerabilities, organizations can refer to best practices in penetration testing methodology and consider the implications of vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-31472 in their overall risk management strategies.
Security teams should stay informed about the latest vulnerabilities and adapt their defenses accordingly. Leveraging resources such as vulnerability management programs can help organizations identify and mitigate risks effectively.
Finally, continuous education and training for security teams are vital to recognize and respond to emerging threats promptly, making use of resources on API penetration testing and other specialized areas.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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