CVE-2020-9436 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Phoenix Contact TC Router and TC Cloud Client devices are vulnerable to authenticated command injection through a modified POST request.

Understanding CVE-2020-9436

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in Phoenix Contact TC Router and TC Cloud Client devices that allows authenticated users to inject system commands through a specific URL.

What is CVE-2020-9436?

The vulnerability in Phoenix Contact TC Router and TC Cloud Client devices enables authenticated users to execute system commands by sending a modified POST request to a particular URL.

The Impact of CVE-2020-9436

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers with authenticated access to the devices, potentially leading to unauthorized command execution and compromising the security and integrity of the affected systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-9436

Phoenix Contact TC Router and TC Cloud Client devices are susceptible to authenticated command injection due to improper input validation.

Vulnerability Description

The issue allows authenticated users to inject system commands through a modified POST request to a specific URL on the affected devices.

Affected Systems and Versions

Phoenix Contact TC Router 3002T-4G through 2.05.3
Phoenix Contact TC Router 2002T-3G through 2.05.3
Phoenix Contact TC Router 3002T-4G VZW through 2.05.3
Phoenix Contact TC Router 3002T-4G ATT through 2.05.3
Phoenix Contact TC Cloud Client 1002-4G through 2.03.17
Phoenix Contact TC Cloud Client 1002-TXTX through 1.03.17

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted POST request to a specific URL on the affected devices, allowing them to execute arbitrary system commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate action is necessary to secure the affected devices and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Phoenix Contact to address the vulnerability.
Restrict network access to the devices to authorized personnel only.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch all network-connected devices to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all Phoenix Contact TC Router and TC Cloud Client devices are updated with the latest firmware and security patches to mitigate the risk of command injection vulnerabilities.