CVE-2009-2257 in DG632
Summary
by MITRE
The administrative web interface on the Netgear DG632 with firmware 3.4.0_ap allows remote attackers to bypass authentication via a direct request to (1) gateway/commands/saveconfig.html, and (2) stattbl.htm, (3) modemmenu.htm, (4) onload.htm, (5) form.css, (6) utility.js, and possibly (7) indextop.htm in html/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2257 affects the Netgear DG632 broadband router running firmware version 3.4.0_ap and represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the device's administrative web interface. This vulnerability resides within the router's web server implementation and allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized administrative access without proper credentials. The flaw specifically impacts several key administrative endpoints including saveconfig.html, stattbl.htm, modemmenu.htm, onload.htm, form.css, utility.js, and potentially indextop.htm within the html/ directory structure. The vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms that fail to validate authentication status before granting access to administrative functions.
This authentication bypass vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, which is a fundamental security weakness that allows unauthorized users to assume the identity of legitimate administrators. The flaw enables attackers to directly access administrative functions through HTTP requests without providing valid login credentials, effectively rendering the router's authentication mechanism useless. The affected endpoints represent critical administrative interfaces that control router configuration settings, system utilities, and network parameters. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to modify router settings, change network configurations, access sensitive system information, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it provides remote attackers with complete administrative control over the affected Netgear DG632 router. Once exploited, attackers can modify firewall rules, change DNS settings, configure port forwarding, access router logs, and manipulate network traffic routing. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for home and small office networks where routers are often deployed without adequate network segmentation. Network administrators lose visibility into their network configuration changes, and the router becomes a potential entry point for broader network attacks. The attack surface expands significantly as the compromised router can be used for man-in-the-middle attacks, traffic interception, or as a pivot point for attacking other devices within the local network.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2257 require immediate action to address the authentication bypass vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves updating the router firmware to the latest available version from Netgear, which should contain patches addressing the authentication bypass flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation measures to isolate critical infrastructure from public internet access, including disabling remote administration access where possible. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual traffic patterns or unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access control measures should be strengthened through the implementation of strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication for administrative access. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in other network devices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as the exploitation relies on compromised administrative access to establish persistent network presence and conduct further reconnaissance activities. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1021 Remote Services and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it allows unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges through direct interface manipulation rather than traditional attack vectors.