Critical Flaw in Four-Faith Routers Actively Exploited in the Wild

2024-12-30

A critical vulnerability in Four-Faith routers is currently being exploited by threat actors. Tracked as CVE-2024-12856 with a CVSS score of 7.2, this flaw allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable devices.

The vulnerability, an OS command injection flaw, specifically impacts Four-Faith router models F3x24 and F3x36. It resides within the router’s operating system and can be exploited by attackers who can authenticate to the device.

The vulnerability lies in the `apply.cgi` endpoint, which is responsible for modifying system time settings. By manipulating the system time parameter, attackers can inject and execute malicious commands.

Worryingly, the vulnerability can be escalated to unauthenticated exploitation if the router’s default credentials remain unchanged. This significantly increases the attack surface and allows attackers to compromise devices without any prior authentication.

Security researchers have observed active exploitation of this vulnerability in the wild. Attackers are targeting Four-Faith routers by leveraging the default credentials to gain unauthenticated access and execute malicious commands remotely.

Furthermore, a significant number of vulnerable devices have been identified online, exposing them to potential attacks. These devices are directly exposed to the internet, making them highly susceptible to exploitation.

This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and changing default credentials on all network devices.

What Undercode Says:

This vulnerability poses a serious threat to organizations and individuals relying on Four-Faith routers. The ability of attackers to execute arbitrary commands on these devices grants them significant control over the compromised systems.

Potential impacts include:

Data theft: Attackers can steal sensitive data, including confidential files, credentials, and intellectual property.
System disruption: Attackers can disrupt network operations by modifying system configurations, disabling services, or even bricking the device.
Botnet creation: Compromised routers can be enlisted into botnets, forming a network of infected devices that can be used for malicious activities such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Lateral movement: Attackers can leverage compromised routers as a foothold to gain access to other systems within the network.

This incident underscores the need for robust security measures for industrial control systems and IoT devices. Organizations must:

Implement strict access control policies: Enforce strong passwords and regularly rotate credentials.
Keep devices updated: Regularly update firmware and software to patch known vulnerabilities.
Segment networks: Isolate critical systems and devices from the public internet to limit the impact of potential breaches.
Implement intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS): Monitor network traffic for suspicious activity and block malicious attempts.
Conduct regular security assessments: Regularly assess the security posture of their network and identify potential vulnerabilities.

By implementing these measures, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber threats and protect their critical infrastructure from malicious attacks.

This vulnerability serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving threat landscape and the importance of proactive security measures.

Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice.

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