CVE-2024-36491 Overview
CVE-2024-36491 is a critical command injection vulnerability affecting FutureNet NXR series, VXR series, and WXR series network routers manufactured by Century Systems Co., Ltd. The vulnerability allows an administrative user to execute arbitrary OS commands on the underlying operating system, obtain and/or alter sensitive information, and cause a denial-of-service (DoS) condition on affected devices.
This vulnerability is classified under CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command), commonly known as OS Command Injection. The flaw enables attackers with administrative access to bypass normal command restrictions and execute arbitrary system-level commands.
Critical Impact
Attackers can achieve full system compromise through arbitrary OS command execution, leading to complete confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact on affected network infrastructure devices.
Affected Products
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-1300 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-1200 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-155/C Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-610X Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-G050 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-G060 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-G100 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-G110 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-G120 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-G200 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet VXR-X64
- Century Systems FutureNet VXR-X86
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-160/LW Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-230/C Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-350/C Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-530 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-650 Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-G180/L-CA Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-130/C Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-125/CX Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet NXR-120/C Firmware
- Century Systems FutureNet WXR-250 Firmware
Discovery Timeline
- July 17, 2024 - CVE-2024-36491 published to NVD
- April 1, 2025 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-36491
Vulnerability Analysis
This command injection vulnerability exists within the firmware of Century Systems FutureNet router devices across multiple product lines (NXR, VXR, and WXR series). The flaw allows authenticated administrative users to inject and execute arbitrary operating system commands, effectively bypassing the intended command-line interface restrictions of the device.
The vulnerability can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring user interaction. Once exploited, an attacker gains the ability to execute commands with the privileges of the underlying operating system, potentially achieving complete control over the network device. This includes the ability to access and modify sensitive configuration data, intercept network traffic, pivot to other network segments, and disrupt device operations.
Network routers and edge devices like those affected represent high-value targets in enterprise environments, as they often serve as critical infrastructure components controlling network traffic flow and security boundaries.
Root Cause
The root cause of CVE-2024-36491 is improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands (CWE-78). The affected firmware fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied input before incorporating it into operating system command executions. This allows specially crafted input containing command separators or metacharacters to break out of the intended command context and execute arbitrary additional commands.
The vulnerability likely exists in administrative interface functions where user input is passed to shell commands without adequate input validation or output encoding. Common attack vectors include command separators such as ;, |, &&, or newline characters that allow chaining additional commands.
Attack Vector
The attack vector for this vulnerability is network-based, requiring the attacker to have administrative credentials to the affected device. The exploitation process typically involves:
- An attacker authenticates to the administrative interface of a vulnerable FutureNet router using valid administrative credentials
- The attacker navigates to a vulnerable function that processes user input and passes it to OS commands
- Crafted input containing command injection payloads is submitted through the interface
- The vulnerable firmware executes the injected commands with system privileges
- The attacker achieves arbitrary command execution, enabling data theft, configuration manipulation, or denial of service
While administrative authentication is required, the vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where administrative credentials may have been compromised, where default credentials are in use, or where insider threats exist. Additionally, if combined with authentication bypass vulnerabilities, the impact could be significantly amplified.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-36491
Indicators of Compromise
- Unusual processes or shell commands spawned by the router's administrative interface
- Unexpected outbound network connections from router management interfaces
- Configuration changes or modifications to device firmware that cannot be attributed to authorized administrators
- Presence of unauthorized files or scripts in writable areas of the router filesystem
Detection Strategies
- Monitor administrative authentication logs for suspicious login patterns or access from unusual source IP addresses
- Implement network intrusion detection rules to identify potential command injection payloads in traffic destined for router management interfaces
- Deploy network-based anomaly detection to identify unusual command patterns or data exfiltration attempts from network devices
- Review and audit administrative access logs for commands that include shell metacharacters or unexpected syntax
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable comprehensive logging on all FutureNet router devices and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for analysis
- Implement network segmentation to isolate management interfaces from general network traffic and monitor crossing traffic
- Configure alerts for multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful logins on affected devices
- Regularly review device configurations for unauthorized changes and compare against known-good baselines
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-36491
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply firmware updates from Century Systems as soon as they become available for your specific device model
- Restrict administrative access to affected devices to trusted IP addresses only using access control lists
- Review and audit administrative accounts, removing any unnecessary privileged access and enforcing strong authentication
- Isolate management interfaces on a dedicated management VLAN with strict access controls
Patch Information
Century Systems has released security bulletins addressing this vulnerability. Organizations should consult the Century Systems Security Bulletin #01 and Century Systems Security Bulletin #03 for specific firmware versions that address CVE-2024-36491. Additional technical details are available in the JVN Vulnerability Report.
Affected organizations should inventory all Century Systems FutureNet devices in their environment, verify current firmware versions, and schedule update windows to apply patched firmware releases.
Workarounds
- Implement strict network access controls to limit administrative interface access to authorized management systems only
- Deploy a jump host or bastion server for all administrative access to network devices, providing an additional authentication layer
- Enable and review audit logging for all administrative actions on affected devices to detect potential exploitation attempts
- Consider temporarily disabling remote administrative access if feasible, limiting management to local console connections until patches are applied
# Example access control configuration concept
# Restrict management interface access to specific trusted networks
# Consult Century Systems documentation for device-specific syntax
# Configure management ACL (example syntax - verify for your device)
access-list management permit ip 10.0.0.0/24
access-list management deny ip any
# Apply to management interface
interface management
ip access-group management in
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
