SR400ac: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
CVE-2023-38120 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in SR400ac from Adtran, with a CVSS 3.0 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists version 12.1.3.1 as the first without the flaw, so updating SR400ac to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 3.89% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 9.59% of all scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update SR400ac to 12.1.3.1 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adtran | SR400ac | 10.8.8.1 & 10.8.5.1; before 12.1.3.1 | 12.1.3.1 |
| Adtran | Sr400ac Firmware | 10.8.5.1; 10.8.8.1 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (trendmicro.com).
Official description
Adtran SR400ac ping Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of Adtran SR400ac routers. Although authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability, the existing authentication mechanism can be bypassed. The specific flaw exists within the ping command, which is available over JSON-RPC. A crafted host parameter can trigger execution of a system call composed from a user-supplied string. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of root. . Was ZDI-CAN-20525.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- zerodayinitiative.com/advisories/ZDI-23-1010/Third Party Advisory
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 8.0 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 10.0 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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