CVE-2018-9285 : What You Need to Know

CVE-2018-9285 was published on April 4, 2018, and affects various ASUS router models. The vulnerability allows for OS command injection through specific fields, potentially leading to unauthorized access and control of the affected devices.

Understanding CVE-2018-9285

This CVE identifies a critical security flaw in ASUS routers that could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices.

What is CVE-2018-9285?

The vulnerability, known as Main_Analysis_Content.asp in /apply.cgi, impacts several ASUS router models, including RT-AC66U, RT-AC68U, RT-AC86U, RT-AC88U, RT-AC1900, RT-AC2900, RT-AC3100, RT-N18U, RT-AC87U, RT-AC3200, and RT-AC5300 before specific firmware versions.

The Impact of CVE-2018-9285

Exploiting this vulnerability could result in unauthorized remote code execution, potentially allowing attackers to take control of the affected routers, intercept traffic, or launch further attacks within the network.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-9285

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for OS command injection by manipulating the pingCNT and destIP fields of the SystemCmd variable in the affected ASUS router models.

Affected Systems and Versions

RT-AC66U, RT-AC68U, RT-AC86U, RT-AC88U, RT-AC1900, RT-AC2900, RT-AC3100 models before version 3.0.0.4.384_10007
RT-N18U devices before version 3.0.0.4.382.39935
RT-AC87U and RT-AC3200 devices before version 3.0.0.4.382.50010
RT-AC5300 devices before version 3.0.0.4.384.20287

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by injecting malicious OS commands through specific fields, enabling them to execute unauthorized actions on the affected ASUS routers.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting against CVE-2018-9285 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update affected ASUS routers to the latest firmware versions that contain patches for this vulnerability.
Implement strong password policies and enable firewall rules to restrict unauthorized access.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update router firmware to address known vulnerabilities and enhance security features.
Conduct security audits and penetration testing to identify and remediate potential weaknesses in the network infrastructure.

Patching and Updates

ASUS has released firmware updates that address the CVE-2018-9285 vulnerability. Ensure timely installation of these patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.