CVE-2023-49226 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue was discovered in Peplink Balance Two before 8.4.0, allowing command injection in the traceroute feature of the administration console, enabling users with admin privileges to execute arbitrary commands as root.

Understanding CVE-2023-49226

This CVE refers to a command injection vulnerability found in the Peplink Balance Two system.

What is CVE-2023-49226?

CVE-2023-49226 highlights a security flaw in Peplink Balance Two's traceroute feature that permits privileged users to run unauthorized commands as root.

The Impact of CVE-2023-49226

This vulnerability poses a significant security risk as it can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access and execute arbitrary commands with root privileges.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-49226

This section provides detailed technical information about the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the traceroute feature of Peplink Balance Two, allowing admin users to inject and execute commands as root, compromising system security.

Affected Systems and Versions

All Peplink Balance Two systems before version 8.4.0 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the command injection flaw in the traceroute feature, attackers with admin access can execute malicious commands with elevated privileges.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2023-49226 by following these security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability, it is crucial to update Peplink Balance Two to version 8.4.0 or above. Additionally, restrict admin access and monitor system logs for any suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement a robust system of least privilege, conduct regular security assessments, and educate users on safe computing practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by Peplink and promptly apply them to ensure your system is protected against known vulnerabilities.