CVE-2009-0680 in SSL312
Summary
by MITRE
cgi-bin/welcome/VPN_only in the web interface in Netgear SSL312 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (device crash) via a crafted query string, as demonstrated using directory traversal sequences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0680 affects Netgear SSL312 devices through their web interface implementation in the cgi-bin/welcome/VPN_only component. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow or input validation flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing crafted query strings that contain directory traversal sequences, which can lead to device crash and complete denial of service conditions. The attack vector leverages the web server's insufficient validation of user-supplied input parameters, allowing malicious actors to manipulate the device's internal file system access mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves constructing malicious query strings that utilize directory traversal sequences such as ../ or ..\ to navigate beyond the intended web root directory. When the web interface processes these crafted inputs without proper sanitization, the device's internal processing logic becomes vulnerable to manipulation. This flaw falls under the category of improper input validation and inadequate access control mechanisms, which are commonly classified as CWE-20 - Improper Input Validation and CWE-284 - Improper Access Control. The device's inability to properly validate or sanitize the query string parameters creates a pathway for attackers to inject malicious sequences that trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying system components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to network infrastructure security as it allows remote attackers to cause complete device outages without requiring authentication or physical access. The denial of service condition affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, potentially disrupting critical network services and communications that rely on the SSL312 device for secure access. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to repeatedly crash the device, creating persistent service interruptions that may require manual intervention to restore normal operations. The impact extends beyond simple availability concerns as the device may require complete reboot cycles or firmware reinstallation to recover from the crash conditions, leading to extended downtime and potential business disruption.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices, disabling unnecessary web interface access where possible, and applying firmware updates from Netgear when available. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and access control mechanisms in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK techniques such as T1210 - Exploitation of Remote Services and T1499 - Endpoint Denial of Service. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual query string patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The flaw underscores the necessity of conducting regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of network infrastructure devices to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited by malicious actors.