CVE-2024-50372
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands with root privileges on affected Advantech wireless access points. The vulnerability exists in the default 'edgserver' service's 'backup_config_to_utility' operation, which doesn't require authentication. Organizations using the specified Advantech EKI-6333 series access points with vulnerable firmware versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Advantech EKI-6333AC-2G
- Advantech EKI-6333AC-2GD
- Advantech EKI-6333AC-1GPO
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of the access point with root-level command execution, allowing attackers to pivot to internal networks, intercept/modify traffic, install persistent backdoors, or use the device as a foothold for further attacks.
Likely Case
Remote code execution leading to device takeover, network traffic interception, credential harvesting, or deployment of malware/botnets.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if devices are behind firewalls with strict inbound filtering and network segmentation prevents lateral movement.
🎯 Exploit Status
The vulnerability is trivially exploitable by remote unauthenticated attackers with network access to the device's edgserver service (default port unknown from provided info).
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Unknown
Vendor Advisory: Unknown
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check Advantech's security advisories for firmware updates. 2. Download the latest firmware for your specific model. 3. Follow Advantech's firmware upgrade procedure. 4. Verify the firmware version after upgrade.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable edgserver service
linuxDisable the vulnerable edgserver service if not required for functionality.
Specific commands unknown - consult device documentation for service management
Network access controls
linuxRestrict network access to the device's management interface using firewall rules.
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport [edgserver_port] -j DROP
ufw deny [edgserver_port]
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate affected devices in a dedicated VLAN with strict firewall rules preventing inbound access to the edgserver service.
- Implement network monitoring and intrusion detection specifically for traffic to/from these devices.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check device firmware version via web interface or CLI. If version matches affected range and edgserver service is accessible, assume vulnerable.Check Version:
Device-specific - typically via web interface at http://[device-ip] or serial console commandsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify firmware version is above affected versions and test that edgserver service no longer accepts unauthenticated backup_config_to_utility requests.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual connections to edgserver service
- Unexpected backup operations
- Suspicious command execution in system logs
Network Indicators:
- Traffic to device's edgserver port containing shell metacharacters or command injection patterns
- Outbound connections from device to suspicious IPs
SIEM Query:
Example: 'source_ip=[device_ip] AND (destination_port=[edgserver_port] OR process="edgserver") AND (event_description CONTAINS "backup_config" OR raw_data MATCHES "[;|&`$()]"))'