CVE-2020-16152
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code with root privileges on Extreme Networks wireless networking devices. Attackers can inject malicious code into log files via the NetConfig UI administrative interface and then access those files to trigger code execution. Organizations using affected ExtremeWireless Aerohive HiveOS and IQ Engine versions are at risk.
💻 Affected Systems
- Extreme Networks ExtremeWireless Aerohive HiveOS
- Extreme Networks ExtremeWireless IQ Engine
📦 What is this software?
Aerohive Netconfig by Extremenetworks
Aerohive Netconfig by Extremenetworks
Aerohive Netconfig by Extremenetworks
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with root-level access, allowing attackers to install persistent backdoors, steal sensitive data, pivot to other network segments, and disrupt wireless services.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to unauthorized administrative access, configuration changes, credential theft, and potential lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring are in place to detect and block exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires no authentication and has been publicly documented with proof-of-concept code available. Attackers need network access to the administrative interface.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 10.0r8a
Vendor Advisory: https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Vulnerability_Notice/VN-2020-001
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check current version using 'show version' command. 2. Download and apply the latest firmware update from Extreme Networks support portal. 3. Reboot the device to complete the update. 4. Verify the update was successful by checking the version again.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict Network Access
allLimit access to the NetConfig UI administrative interface to trusted IP addresses only using firewall rules or access control lists.
Configure firewall/ACL to allow only specific management IPs to access port 443/HTTPS of the device
Disable Unused Interfaces
allIf NetConfig UI is not required, disable it to remove the attack surface.
Disable via device configuration: 'no web-management https' or similar command
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate affected devices from untrusted networks
- Deploy intrusion detection/prevention systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and block malicious traffic
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check the device firmware version via the web interface or CLI. If version is 10.0r8a or earlier, the system is vulnerable.Check Version:
show versionVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, verify the firmware version is higher than 10.0r8a and test that the NetConfig UI functions normally without allowing code injection.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual PHP file access in web server logs
- Suspicious HTTP requests to log files or unusual file paths
- Unexpected root-level process execution
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing PHP code in parameters
- Traffic to administrative interface from unexpected sources
- Outbound connections from device to suspicious external IPs
SIEM Query:
source="device_logs" AND (url="*log*" OR url="*.php*") AND (method="POST" OR method="GET") AND (user_agent="*curl*" OR user_agent="*wget*")🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164957/Aerohive-NetConfig-10.0r8a-Local-File-Inclusion-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Vulnerability_Notice/VN-2020-001
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164957/Aerohive-NetConfig-10.0r8a-Local-File-Inclusion-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- https://gtacknowledge.extremenetworks.com/articles/Vulnerability_Notice/VN-2020-001
