CVE-2018-4063 Splunk · SPL

Detect Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS Unrestricted File Upload Exploitation in Splunk

Detects exploitation of CVE-2018-4063, an unrestricted file upload vulnerability (CWE-434) in Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS firmware. Attackers can upload files with dangerous types via the ACEmanager web interface, enabling remote code execution on cellular gateway devices. This vulnerability is listed in CISA KEV and has been exploited in the wild against critical infrastructure.

MITRE ATT&CK

Tactic
Initial Access Execution Lateral Movement

SPL Detection Query

Splunk (SPL)
spl
index=network OR index=syslog OR index=proxy
| eval time_window=relative_time(now(), "-1h")
| where _time >= time_window
(
  [search sourcetype IN (cisco:asa, pan:traffic, paloalto:firewall)
   dest_port IN (9443, 443, 80, 8080)
   (url="*acemanager*" OR url="*/upload*" OR url="*/cgi-bin*" OR uri_path="*/firmware*")
   http_method=POST]
OR
  [search sourcetype=sierrawireless:aleos
   (message="*upload*" OR message="*file*" OR message="*POST*")]
OR
  [search sourcetype IN (access_combined, iis)
   method=POST
   (uri_path="*acemanager*" OR uri_path="*/upload*" OR uri_path="*/cgi-bin*")
   (uri_path="*.php" OR uri_path="*.asp" OR uri_path="*.aspx" OR uri_path="*.jsp" OR uri_path="*.cgi" OR uri_path="*.sh" OR uri_path="*.elf")]
)
| eval dangerous_ext=if(match(uri_path, "\.(php|asp|aspx|jsp|cgi|sh|py|pl|exe|elf)$"), "true", "false")
| eval cve="CVE-2018-4063"
| eval vendor="Sierra Wireless"
| eval product="AirLink ALEOS"
| stats count min(_time) as first_seen max(_time) as last_seen values(src_ip) as source_ips values(uri_path) as upload_paths values(dangerous_ext) as file_types by dest_ip dest_port
| where count > 0
| sort -last_seen
critical severity medium confidence

Detects POST requests targeting Sierra Wireless AirLink ALEOS ACEmanager upload endpoints with dangerous file extensions across network proxy, IIS, and device syslog sources.

Data Sources

Proxy LogsIIS Access LogsSierra Wireless SyslogNetwork Firewall Logs

Required Sourcetypes

access_combinediiscisco:asapan:trafficsierrawireless:aleos

False Positives & Tuning

  • Authorized firmware upgrades uploaded by network operations teams via ACEmanager web portal
  • Legitimate configuration backups or restore operations involving file uploads to ALEOS devices
  • Authorized penetration testing or vulnerability scanning activity targeting ALEOS management interfaces
  • Automated monitoring scripts performing scheduled health-check uploads to cellular gateway devices

Other platforms for CVE-2018-4063


Testing Methodology

Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.

  1. Test 1Simulate File Upload to ALEOS ACEmanager Endpoint

    Expected signal: HTTP POST to port 9443 with multipart/form-data body containing a .php file extension; network flow from attacker IP to ALEOS management IP

  2. Test 2Upload ELF Binary to ALEOS CGI Directory

    Expected signal: POST request to /cgi-bin/upload with Content-Disposition header containing filename ending in .elf; successful HTTP 200 response if device is unpatched

  3. Test 3Enumerate ALEOS ACEmanager Upload Endpoints

    Expected signal: Sequential GET requests from a single source IP to multiple ALEOS management paths within a short time window; HTTP response codes indicating which paths are accessible

Unlock Pro Content

Get the full detection package for CVE-2018-4063 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.

Response PlaybookInvestigation GuideHunting QueriesAtomic Red Team TestsTuning Guidance

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