CVE-2019-14657 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

Yealink phones had a vulnerability related to OpenVPN file upload, allowing unauthorized access and code execution.

Understanding CVE-2019-14657

Yealink phones executing the tar command as root were susceptible to a path traversal attack, enabling file replacement and code execution.

What is CVE-2019-14657?

The vulnerability in Yealink phones allowed malicious actors to replace files and execute arbitrary code with root privileges.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14657

Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to password substitution and unauthorized code execution on affected Yealink phones.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14657

Yealink phones were vulnerable to a path traversal attack during OpenVPN file extraction.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw allowed attackers to create a malicious tar file to replace critical system files on Yealink phones.

Affected Systems and Versions

Yealink phones through August 4, 2019

Exploitation Mechanism

By utilizing the ../../../../ path traversal technique, attackers could replace essential files on the phone.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to address and prevent exploitation of the CVE-2019-14657 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Yealink phones to the latest firmware version.
Implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable devices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit device configurations for unauthorized changes.
Educate users on safe file handling practices to prevent malicious file uploads.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Yealink to address the vulnerability.