EFM ipTIME NAS1dual Stack-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability has been identified in EFM ipTIME NAS1dual version 1.5.24. The vulnerability resides within the get_csrf_whites function of the /cgi/advanced/misc_main.cgi file. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code on the affected device. Public exploits targeting this flaw are available, increasing the risk of widespread exploitation. The vendor, EFM, has been notified about the vulnerability but has not provided a response or patch as of this writing. This lack of responsiveness exacerbates the threat posed by this vulnerability, making it critical for users to implement mitigating measures.

Attack Chain

1. The attacker identifies a vulnerable EFM ipTIME NAS1dual device running firmware version 1.5.24.
2. The attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request targeting the /cgi/advanced/misc_main.cgi endpoint.
3. The crafted request includes an overly long string that overflows the buffer allocated for the get_csrf_whites function.
4. The overflow overwrites adjacent memory regions on the stack, including the return address.
5. The attacker sets the overwritten return address to point to attacker-controlled code.
6. The vulnerable get_csrf_whites function returns, transferring control to the attacker-specified address.
7. The attacker-controlled code executes with the privileges of the web server process.
8. The attacker gains arbitrary code execution on the NAS device, enabling them to install malware, steal data, or pivot to other network resources.

Impact

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability grants an attacker complete control over the affected EFM ipTIME NAS1dual device. This could lead to sensitive data stored on the NAS being compromised, the device being used as a bot in a botnet, or the device being held for ransom. Given the high CVSS score of 9.8, the impact is considered critical. Since public exploits are available, mass exploitation is a significant risk for unpatched devices.

Recommendation

• Monitor web server logs for suspicious requests to /cgi/advanced/misc_main.cgi containing abnormally long strings (see Sigma rule Detect Suspicious URI Length).
• Implement rate limiting on requests to /cgi/advanced/misc_main.cgi to mitigate potential brute-force exploitation attempts (see Sigma rule Detect High Volume Requests to Vulnerable Endpoint).
• Consider deploying a web application firewall (WAF) rule to block requests with overly long inputs to the get_csrf_whites function.