AX1800: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command
CVE-2023-50445 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in AX1800 from GL.iNet, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected AX1800 versions: 4.4.6. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 9.12% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is in the top 4.61% of all scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of AX1800 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gl.inet | AX1800 | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | A1300 | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | AXT1800 | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | MT3000 | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | MT2500 | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | MT6000 | 4.5.0 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | MT1300 | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | MT300N_V2 | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | AR750S | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | AR750 | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | AR300M | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl.inet | B1300 | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-mt1300 Firmware | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-mt300n-v2 Firmware | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-ar750s Firmware | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-ar750 Firmware | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-ar300m Firmware | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-b1300 Firmware | 4.3.7 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-mt6000 Firmware | 4.5.0 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-a1300 Firmware | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-ax1800 Firmware | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-axt1800 Firmware | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-mt3000 Firmware | 4.4.6 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Gl-mt2500 Firmware | 4.4.6 | 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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- 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:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
Shell Injection vulnerability GL.iNet A1300 v4.4.6, AX1800 v4.4.6, AXT1800 v4.4.6, MT3000 v4.4.6, MT2500 v4.4.6, MT6000 v4.5.0, MT1300 v4.3.7, MT300N-V2 v4.3.7, AR750S v4.3.7, AR750 v4.3.7, AR300M v4.3.7, and B1300 v4.3.7., allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code via the get_system_log and get_crash_log functions of the logread module, as well as the upgrade_online function of the upgrade module.
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 an OS Command
The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command before 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.
- For any data that will be used to generate a command to be executed, keep as much of that data out of external control as possible. For example, in web applications, this may require storing the data locally in the session's state instead of sending it out to the client in a hidden form field.
- 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.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities (CWE-78)
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
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- github.com/gl-inet/CVE-issues/blob/main/4.0.0/Using%20Shell%20Metacharacter%20Injection%20via%20API.mdExploit, Third Party Advisory
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in AX1800
- 8.3 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 7.4 High severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.2 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
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