Source: cve@mitre.org
Livingston portmaster machines could be rebooted via a series of commands.
Livingston Portmaster devices are vulnerable to a remote reboot attack, allowing malicious actors to disrupt network services. This vulnerability, exploitable through a series of commands, can lead to denial-of-service (DoS) conditions and potentially facilitate further attacks. Successful exploitation can cripple network infrastructure, impacting business operations and data availability.
Step 1: Reconnaissance: The attacker identifies a vulnerable Livingston Portmaster device on the network. This could involve port scanning to identify open ports and services, or using network enumeration techniques.
Step 2: Command Injection/Crafting: The attacker crafts a specific sequence of commands designed to exploit the vulnerability. The exact commands are not specified in the CVE, but they likely involve sending a series of commands to the device, potentially through a Telnet or SSH connection.
Step 3: Command Execution: The attacker executes the crafted command sequence against the target Portmaster device. This could be done manually or through an automated script.
Step 4: System Instability: The Portmaster device processes the malicious commands, leading to a system crash or unexpected reboot. The specific trigger is unknown from the CVE description.
Step 5: Denial of Service: The Portmaster device reboots, rendering it unavailable for legitimate network traffic, resulting in a DoS condition.
The vulnerability stems from a flaw in the command processing logic of the Livingston Portmaster devices. The exact nature of the flaw is not explicitly stated in the CVE, but it likely involves a lack of proper input validation or insufficient resource management when handling a specific sequence of commands. This could manifest as a buffer overflow, a resource exhaustion issue, or a logic error that allows an attacker to trigger an unexpected system reboot. The commands, when processed in a specific order or with crafted input, likely cause the system to enter an unstable state, leading to a crash and reboot. Further investigation would be needed to pinpoint the exact command sequence and the underlying root cause, but the impact is a DoS.
Due to the age of the vulnerability and the lack of specific details, it is difficult to attribute this vulnerability to specific APT groups or malware campaigns. It is unlikely to be targeted by modern APTs. Not listed on CISA KEV.
Monitor network traffic for unusual command sequences or patterns associated with Livingston Portmaster devices.
Analyze system logs for unexpected reboots or error messages related to command processing.
Implement intrusion detection systems (IDS) with rules tailored to detect known exploit attempts against Livingston Portmaster devices (if specific exploit details are available).
Monitor for Telnet or SSH connections to the Portmaster devices from unexpected sources.
Review device configuration for any unauthorized changes.
Isolate or decommission affected Livingston Portmaster devices, if possible.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of a successful exploit.
If the devices are still in use, apply any available firmware updates or patches from the vendor (if available).
Disable or restrict access to Telnet and other potentially vulnerable services.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms for remote access, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Regularly review and audit system logs for suspicious activity.