CVE-2021-20140 : What You Need to Know

An unauthenticated command injection vulnerability exists in Gryphon Tower routers, allowing remote attackers to execute commands as root on the device.

Understanding CVE-2021-20140

This CVE involves a critical unauthenticated command injection flaw in Gryphon Tower routers, posing a severe security risk to affected devices.

What is CVE-2021-20140?

CVE-2021-20140 is a vulnerability found in the controller_server service on Gryphon Tower routers. It allows unauthenticated remote attackers within the same network to run malicious commands as root on the device.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20140

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables attackers to take full control of the affected device, potentially leading to further compromise of the network.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20140

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in the parameters of operation 10 in the controller_server service on Gryphon Tower routers. By sending a specially crafted malicious packet to port 9999, an attacker can inject and execute commands on the device as a privileged user.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Gryphon Tower router versions up to and including 04.0004.12 are impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an unauthenticated remote attacker needs to send a malicious packet to the controller_server service on port 9999 within the same network, triggering the execution of unauthorized commands.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-20140, immediate steps should be taken to secure the affected devices and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is crucial to apply security patches or updates provided by the vendor to mitigate this vulnerability. Restricting access to the controller_server service and network-level controls can also help prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strong network segmentation, regularly monitoring device activity, and educating users about phishing attacks are essential for long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches from Gryphon Tower or the respective vendor to ensure that the devices are protected against known vulnerabilities.