External risk intelligence

MoFi Router Authentication Bypass and Code Execution

CVE advisorySeverity: CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8)

CVE-2021-27715

The affected product is a network router/gateway. Such devices are typically deployed at the network edge to provide internet connectivity, making their management interfaces or web-based configuration portals commonly reachable from the public internet.

Authentication Bypass

Mofinetwork Mofi4500 4gxelte V2 Firmware

3.5.6-xnet-5052

Halo Surface Signal: 4 out of 5 — likely to be public-facing.

External exposure likelihood

Horizon Alert

Summary of the vulnerability and why it matters

An authentication bypass vulnerability in specific MoFi network devices could allow unauthorized access and arbitrary code execution, posing a significant security risk. The nature of these devices at the network edge means such a compromise could have broad implications for connected systems and data.

  • Allows unauthorized code execution.
  • Critical flaw impacts network edge security.
  • Confirm relevance to protect network integrity.

Attack Path

How an attacker could exploit the issue

An attacker could start by sending a specially crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable network device. This device, if exposed to the internet, might allow an unauthenticated user to bypass normal login procedures. The attacker could then potentially execute arbitrary code on the device, leading to a complete compromise.

  • No authentication required.
  • Crafted HTTP request.
  • Remote code execution and system compromise.

Live Threat

Current exploitation, exposure, and threat context

This vulnerability could allow an unauthenticated attacker to bypass security controls and execute arbitrary code on the affected device. This could impact the device's functionality and potentially lead to further compromise of the network it serves, when supported by the advisory.

  • Network device system control.
  • Crafted HTTP request allows access.
  • Device functionality and network access may be compromised.

Operational Fix

Recommended remediation, mitigation, and detection steps

The MoFi Network MOFI4500-4GXeLTE-V2 firmware is likely managed by infrastructure or network teams responsible for edge devices and internet connectivity. The first practical step is to identify all instances of this device, confirm their internet exposure and business criticality, and then assign an owner for remediation planning.

  • Infrastructure or Network teams own resolution.
  • Verify internet reachability and criticality first.
  • Plan remediation based on exposure and business impact.

Supplementary metadata

Validate whether this threat affects your internet-facing exposure.

Halo Threat Intelligence helps prioritize remediation with Halo Surface Signal and H/A/L/O context. Start exposure validation with a free external attack surface trial.

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOFI4500-4GXeLTE-V2 device?

It is a cellular router and gateway manufactured by MoFi Network. These devices are typically used to provide internet connectivity, often serving as the primary bridge between a local network and cellular data services. They are designed for environments where reliable, mobile-based network access is required, placing them at the edge of the local network infrastructure.

What does CWE-287 mean for CVE-2021-27715?

CWE-287 refers to Improper Authentication. In the context of this vulnerability, it means the router fails to correctly verify the identity of a user attempting to access its management functions. Because the device does not properly check credentials, an attacker can bypass the login screen entirely and interact with the system as if they were an authorized administrator.

How is this vulnerability triggered?

An attacker triggers this flaw by sending a specifically formatted HTTP request to the device. This interaction exploits the broken authentication mechanism to gain unauthorized access. It is important to note that simply visiting the device's login page or browsing its public status information normally does not trigger the vulnerability; the attack requires an intentional, malformed request designed to bypass security checks.

Why should I care about this CVE if I use this router?

Halo Surface Signal indicates that this device is a network gateway often deployed at the edge to provide internet access, meaning its web configuration portals are frequently reachable from the public internet. If your device is accessible via the web, an attacker anywhere could potentially bypass authentication and execute code, which could lead to full control over the router and everything connected behind it.

What should I do if I am running this firmware version?

Your first step is to locate all instances of this specific MoFi hardware within your environment. Once identified, verify if the management interface is accessible from the internet. You should work with your network or infrastructure team to restrict access to the configuration portal to trusted internal networks only while you plan for firmware updates or other vendor-provided security measures.

References