CVE-2023-5142 - H3C Network Devices Path Traversal Vulnerability in Config File Handler

A recently discovered vulnerability, classified as problematic, has been found to affect a wide range of H3C network devices, including the GR-110-P, GR-1108-P, GR-120W, GR-180AX, GR-220, GR-320, GR-520, GR-830, ER210n, ER220G2, ER320G2, ER326G2, ER510G2, ER520G2, and ER630G2 up to version 20230908. The vulnerability, assigned the identifier VDB-240238, specifically impacts the unknown code of the file /userLogin.asp within the Config File Handler component. Consequently, this vulnerability can lead to path traversal, which occurs when the attacker is able to manipulate files outside of the intended directory.

Exploit Details

The attack can be initiated remotely, which means that the attacker does not need physical access to the target device. However, the complexity of the attack is rather high, indicating that it may be difficult to carry out this exploit successfully. Additionally, exploiting this vulnerability appears to be quite difficult, as the necessary steps and techniques have not been made available publicly.

Exploit Code Snippet

While the complete exploit code has not been released, understanding the general structure of the targeted file can still be valuable. The affected file – /userLogin.asp – may look something like this:

<%@ Language=VBScript %>
<!--#include file="config.asp"-->
<%
Dim loginSuccess
loginSuccess = HandleUserLogin(request.form("username"), request.form("password"))
If loginSuccess = True Then
    response.redirect("main.asp")
Else
    response.redirect("error.asp?err=Invalid username or password")
End If
%>

The attacker may attempt to manipulate the include path to achieve path traversal, such as changing the path in the include directive to something like:

<!--#include file="../../../../../etc/passwd"-->

Original References

While the full exploit details have not yet been made public, the vulnerability has been assigned the identifier VDB-240238, which can be used to track updates and further information. You can use the following resources to stay informed:

1. Vulnerability Database (VDB): https://vdb.example.com/vdb-240238

Note: The vendor, H3C, was contacted regarding the vulnerability but has not provided any response. As a result, users of the affected devices are encouraged to be vigilant and monitor the situation for any updates or fixes that may become available.

Mitigation Steps

In the absence of a vendor-supplied patch or update, it is essential to prioritize mitigating this vulnerability. The following steps can help in securing the affected devices:

Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.

4. Implement strong user authentication mechanisms to ensure only authorized users can access device configurations.
5. Keep an eye on security forums and blogs for information about new vulnerabilities, and apply patches and updates as soon as they become available.
6. Participate in vulnerability management programs, such as bug bounty programs, to identify and fix vulnerabilities proactively.

Timeline

Published on: 09/24/2023 22:15:10 UTC
Last modified on: 11/07/2023 04:23:30 UTC