CVE-2020-11733 : Security Advisory and Response

An issue was discovered on Spirent TestCenter and Avalanche appliance admin interface firmware. An attacker with access to an SSH restricted shell can gain root access via shell metacharacters, potentially compromising sensitive files.

Understanding CVE-2020-11733

This CVE affects Spirent TestCenter and Avalanche products with chassis version <= 5.08, allowing unauthorized root access.

What is CVE-2020-11733?

The vulnerability enables an attacker with SSH restricted shell access to escalate privileges to root, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The Impact of CVE-2020-11733

Attackers can read sensitive files like appliance admin configuration source code.
Affected products include Spirent TestCenter and Avalanche with chassis version <= 5.08.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-11733

The following technical details outline the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker with SSH restricted shell access to gain root privileges through shell metacharacters.

Affected Systems and Versions

Spirent TestCenter and Avalanche products with chassis version <= 5.08.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by utilizing shell metacharacters to escalate privileges to root.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your systems from CVE-2020-11733 with the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable default credentials for SSH restricted shell.
Implement strong access controls to limit unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Spirent for affected products to mitigate the vulnerability.