Unauthenticated Command Injection in uhttpd Web Interface

Executive Summary

This vulnerability is a command injection flaw in the web-based management interface of a device using a modified uhttpd server with CGI shell scripts. The system directly uses the HTTP Basic Authentication username from the Authorization header in a shell command without sanitization. An attacker can craft a malicious username with shell metacharacters to escape the command context and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

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Detection Guidance

Check for unauthorized command execution attempts in system logs, particularly looking for unusual shell commands or processes spawned from the web interface. Inspect network traffic for HTTP Basic Authentication headers with suspicious usernames containing shell metacharacters like semicolons or backticks.

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Impact Analysis

An unauthenticated attacker with network access to the device can exploit this to gain full control over the system, including executing arbitrary commands as root. This could lead to complete compromise of the device, data theft, unauthorized access, or disruption of services.

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Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and data breaches, violating confidentiality requirements in GDPR and HIPAA. Organizations may face legal penalties, loss of trust, and compliance violations due to potential exposure of sensitive data.

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Mitigation Strategies

Disable the web-based management interface if not essential. Apply patches or updates from the vendor if available. Implement network segmentation to restrict access to the vulnerable interface. Monitor for unusual activity and block suspicious HTTP requests at the firewall level.

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