A newly disclosed security flaw in the Wi-Fi Test Suite platform could allow unauthenticated local attackers to execute arbitrary code with root-level privileges. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-41992, impacts routers running code provided by the Wi-Fi Alliance and has been specifically identified in the Arcadyan FMIMG51AX000J model.
Exploiting the Wi-Fi Test Suite Vulnerability
According to an advisory released by the CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC), the flaw allows attackers to send specially crafted packets to exploit a command injection weakness. If successful, the attacker can run commands with root privileges, gaining full control over the compromised router.
“The flaw allows unauthenticated local attackers to exploit the Wi-Fi Test Suite by sending specially crafted packets, enabling the execution of arbitrary commands with root privileges,” CERT/CC noted.
The Wi-Fi Test Suite, developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance, is typically used to test Wi-Fi components and devices. While parts of the toolkit are available as open-source, the complete package is restricted to Wi-Fi Alliance members. Despite its intended use in testing environments, the suite has been discovered embedded in commercial production routers—a misstep that exposes these devices to exploitation.
Command Injection Vulnerability: A Path to Complete Control
The vulnerability was initially reported to the Wi-Fi Alliance in April 2024 by independent security researcher “fj016”, who uncovered the flaw and released a proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit in August. The researcher confirmed that attackers can inject and execute arbitrary commands with root access, making it possible to:
Modify system settings
Disrupt network services
Reset devices
Compromise sensitive network data
These actions can lead to network outages, compromised devices, and loss of service for users relying on the affected routers.
Mitigation and Vendor Response
Unfortunately, Arcadyan has yet to release a patch addressing the flaw. Other vendors utilizing the Wi-Fi Test Suite are advised to either:
Remove the vulnerable component from production environments
Upgrade the toolkit to version 9.0 or later
CERT/CC stressed that the Wi-Fi Test Suite was not intended for production use, making its presence in deployed routers a significant security oversight. The Hacker News reached out to the Wi-Fi Alliance for comment, and this story will be updated if additional information becomes available.
Key Takeaways
CVE-2024-41992 allows unauthenticated local attackers to gain root access on vulnerable routers.
The vulnerability arises from a command injection flaw in the Wi-Fi Test Suite used by Arcadyan and potentially other manufacturers.
In the absence of a patch, vendors must either remove the Wi-Fi Test Suite or upgrade to version 9.0 or later to mitigate exploitation risks.
This incident highlights the dangers of using non-production components in live environments, emphasizing the need for thorough security assessments before deployment. Network administrators are urged to act quickly, as unpatched routers are at risk of complete compromise and service disruption.