H8951-4G-ESP: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
CVE-2023-49255 is a critical-severity missing authentication for critical functionality vulnerability in H8951-4G-ESP from Hongdian, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists version 2310271149 as the first without the flaw, so updating H8951-4G-ESP to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.72% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 54% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update H8951-4G-ESP to 2310271149 or a later version.
- Update H8951-4g-esp Firmware to 2310271149 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hongdian | H8951-4G-ESP | before 2310271149 | 2310271149 |
| Hongdian | H8951-4g-esp Firmware | before 2310271149 | 2310271149 |
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
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- 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:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.8 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
The router console is accessible without authentication at "data" field, and while a user needs to be logged in in order to modify the configuration, the session state is shared. If any other user is currently logged in, the anonymous user can execute commands in the context of the authenticated one. If the logged in user has administrative privileges, it is possible to use webadmin service configuration commands to create a new admin user with a chosen password.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality
The product does not perform any authentication for functionality that requires a provable user identity or consumes a significant amount of resources.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any security checks that are performed on the client side, ensure that these checks are duplicated on the server side, in order to avoid CWE-602. Attackers can bypass the client-side checks by modifying values after the checks have been performed, or by changing the client to remove the client-side checks entirely. Then, these modified values would be submitted to the server.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using libraries with authentication capabilities such as OpenSSL or the ESAPI Authenticator.
- When storing data in the cloud (e.g., S3 buckets, Azure blobs, Google Cloud Storage, etc.), use the provider's controls to require strong authentication for users who should be allowed to access the data.
More Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities (CWE-306)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Third-party and government advisories
- cert.pl/en/posts/2024/01/CVE-2023-49253/Third Party Advisory
- cert.pl/posts/2024/01/CVE-2023-49253/Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in H8951-4G-ESP
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Missing Authentication for Critical Functionality vulnerabilities
- 8.0 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.