CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-0401NVD status: Deferred

ExpertWiFi: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-0401 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in an OS command vulnerability in ExpertWiFi from ASUS, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. The record lists version 3.0.0.6.102_44544 as the first without the flaw, so updating ExpertWiFi to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.73% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 55% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update ExpertWiFi to 3.0.0.6.102_44544 or a later version.
  2. Update RT-AX55 to 3.0.0.4.386_52303 or a later version.
  3. Update RT-AX58U to 3.0.0.4.388_24762 or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ASUSExpertWiFibefore 3.0.0.6.102_445443.0.0.6.102_44544
ASUSRT-AX55before 3.0.0.4.386_523033.0.0.4.386_52303
ASUSRT-AX58Ubefore 3.0.0.4.388_247623.0.0.4.388_24762
ASUSRT-AC67Ubefore 3.0.0.4.386_516853.0.0.4.386_51685
ASUSRT-AC68Rbefore 3.0.0.4.386_516853.0.0.4.386_51685
ASUSRT-AC68Ubefore 3.0.0.4.386_516853.0.0.4.386_51685
ASUSRT-AX86 Seriesbefore 3.0.0.4.388_242433.0.0.4.388_24243
ASUSRT-AC86Ubefore 3.0.0.4.386_519253.0.0.4.386_51925
ASUSRT-AX88Ubefore 3.0.0.4.388_242093.0.0.4.388_24209
ASUSRT-AX3000before 3.0.0.4.388_247623.0.0.4.388_24762
ASUSrt-ac88ubefore 3.0.0.4.388_242093.0.0.4.388_24209
ASUSrt-ac68pbefore 3.0.0.4.386_516853.0.0.4.386_51685
ASUSrt-ac1900before 3.0.0.4.386_516853.0.0.4.386_51685
ASUSrt-ac1900ubefore 3.0.0.4.386_516853.0.0.4.386_51685
ASUSrt-ac2900before 3.0.0.4.386_519253.0.0.4.386_51925
ASUSzenwifi_xt8before 3.0.0.4.388_246213.0.0.4.388_24621

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
HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
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:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (vulncheck.com).

Official description

ASUS routers supporting custom OpenVPN profiles are vulnerable to a code execution vulnerability. An authenticated and remote attacker can execute arbitrary operating system commands by uploading a crafted OVPN profile. Known affected routers include ASUS ExpertWiFi, ASUS RT-AX55, ASUS RT-AX58U, ASUS RT-AC67U, ASUS RT-AC68R, ASUS RT-AC68U, ASUS RT-AX86, ASUS RT-AC86U, ASUS RT-AX88U, and ASUS RT-AX3000.

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

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command vulnerabilities

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