CVE-2024-37569 Overview
CVE-2024-37569 is a command injection vulnerability affecting Mitel 6869i SIP phones running firmware versions through 4.5.0.41 and 5.x through 5.0.0.1018. The provis.html endpoint accepts a hostname parameter from authenticated users without sanitization. The value is written to disk and later executed as part of a shell command sequence during device boot. Attackers with valid credentials can inject shell metacharacters into the hostname field and achieve remote code execution in the root context. The flaw is classified under [CWE-77] (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command).
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can execute arbitrary commands as root on affected Mitel 6869i devices, gaining full control of the phone and a foothold on the voice network.
Affected Products
- Mitel 6869i SIP Firmware versions through 4.5.0.41
- Mitel 6869i SIP Firmware 5.x through 5.0.0.1018
- Mitel 6869i SIP hardware devices running the vulnerable firmware
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-06-09 - CVE-2024-37569 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-37569
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in the device's web administration interface, specifically the provis.html provisioning endpoint. Authenticated users can submit a hostname value that the application persists to disk without input validation or metacharacter filtering. The stored value is later interpreted by the device's boot scripts, which pass it into a series of shell commands. Because the interpreter treats characters such as ;, |, `, and $() as syntax rather than data, an attacker can chain arbitrary commands onto the intended hostname assignment. The injected commands execute with root privileges during the next device boot, giving the attacker complete control over the phone's operating system, filesystem, and network position.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing input sanitization on the hostname parameter combined with unsafe use of the stored value inside shell command strings. The application trusts authenticated user input and does not escape or reject shell metacharacters before writing the value to a configuration file consumed by boot-time scripts.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the phone's HTTP administration interface and valid credentials. An attacker submits a crafted POST request to provis.html containing shell metacharacters within the hostname field. The payload persists across reboots and executes each time the device starts. Public proof-of-concept material is available; see the GitHub PoC Exploit Script and the GitHub Authenticated RCE Overview for technical details. A demonstration is also available in the YouTube Security Presentation.
No verified code sample included. Refer to the linked PoC repository for the
full request structure and payload format used to inject shell metacharacters
into the hostname parameter of provis.html.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-37569
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP POST requests to /provis.html containing shell metacharacters (;, |, `, $(), &&) within the hostname parameter.
- Unexpected outbound connections originating from Mitel 6869i phones, especially to attacker-controlled infrastructure.
- Configuration files on the device containing hostname values that include command syntax rather than a valid DNS label.
- Unexplained device reboots followed by new processes or listeners running on the phone.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server and management-interface logs for provis.html submissions and flag hostname values that violate RFC 1123 hostname character rules.
- Alert on any authenticated administrative session that modifies device provisioning parameters outside of change windows.
- Baseline expected network behavior of VoIP endpoints and identify deviations such as outbound shells or unusual DNS queries.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Forward Mitel 6869i syslog and HTTP access logs to a centralized SIEM or data lake for correlation with authentication events.
- Monitor authentication logs for the phone administration portal and alert on credential reuse or brute-force patterns.
- Segment VoIP infrastructure and monitor east-west traffic between phones and other network zones for anomalies.
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-37569
Immediate Actions Required
- Apply the latest firmware update from Mitel that addresses CVE-2024-37569 as soon as it is available for your device model.
- Restrict access to the phone's web administration interface to a dedicated management VLAN reachable only by administrators.
- Rotate administrative credentials on all Mitel 6869i devices and enforce strong, unique passwords.
- Audit existing device configurations for hostname values containing shell metacharacters and reset them to safe defaults.
Patch Information
No vendor advisory URL is included in the enriched data. Administrators should contact Mitel support or check the vendor's product security portal for firmware releases that supersede versions 4.5.0.41 and 5.0.0.1018 for the 6869i platform.
Workarounds
- Block network access to provis.html at an upstream firewall or reverse proxy where feasible.
- Disable the web administration interface on devices that can be provisioned exclusively through secure alternate channels.
- Limit accounts with provisioning privileges to a minimal, tightly monitored set of administrators.
# Example ACL restricting management access to a jump host (adapt to your platform)
access-list MITEL_MGMT permit tcp host 10.10.10.5 host <phone_ip> eq 443
access-list MITEL_MGMT permit tcp host 10.10.10.5 host <phone_ip> eq 80
access-list MITEL_MGMT deny tcp any host <phone_ip> eq 443
access-list MITEL_MGMT deny tcp any host <phone_ip> eq 80
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
