gl-mt2500: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
CVE-2024-39227 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of special elements in output used by a downstream component vulnerability in gl-mt2500 from GL.iNet, 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. Affected gl-mt2500 versions: 4.5.16. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.19% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 68% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Check which version of gl-mt2500 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gl-inet | gl-mt2500 | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-axt1800 | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-ax1800 | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-a1300 | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-x300b | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-xe300 | 4.3.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-e750 | 4.3.12 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-ap1300 | 4.3.13 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-s1300 | 4.3.13 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-xe3000 | 4.4 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-x3000 | 4.4 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-ar750 | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-ar750s | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-ar300m | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-ar300m16 | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-ar300n-v2 | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-b1300 | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-mt1300 | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-sft1200 | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-x750 | 4.3.11 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | gl-mt3000 | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Mt6000 Firmware | 4.5.8 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | A1300 Firmware | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | X300b Firmware | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
| Gl-inet | Ax1800 Firmware | 4.5.16 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 24 further products are omitted here. 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
GL-iNet products AR750/AR750S/AR300M/AR300M16/MT300N-V2/B1300/MT1300/SFT1200/X750 v4.3.11, MT3000/MT2500/AXT1800/AX1800/A1300/X300B v4.5.16, XE300 v4.3.16, E750 v4.3.12, AP1300/S1300 v4.3.13, and XE3000/X3000 v4.4 were discovered to contain insecure permissions in the endpoint /cgi-bin/glc. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code or possibly a directory traversal via crafted JSON data.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component
The product constructs all or part of a command, data structure, or record using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify how it is parsed or interpreted when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Programming languages and supporting technologies might be chosen which are not subject to these issues.
- Utilize an appropriate mix of allowlist and denylist parsing to filter control-plane syntax from all input.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: yes, 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/Access%20to%20the%20C%20library%20without%20logging%20in.mdExploit, Third Party Advisory
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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