CVE-2011-1674 in ProSafe WNAP210
Summary
by MITRE
The NetGear ProSafe WNAP210 with firmware 2.0.12 allows remote attackers to bypass authentication and obtain access to the configuration page by visiting recreate.php and then visiting index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2024
The CVE-2011-1674 vulnerability affects the NetGear ProSafe WNAP210 wireless network access point running firmware version 2.0.12, representing a critical authentication bypass flaw that undermines the device's security posture. This vulnerability stems from improper session management and authentication checks within the web-based management interface, allowing unauthenticated remote attackers to gain administrative access to the device configuration page. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no prior authentication credentials and can be executed through simple web browser navigation, making it highly exploitable in both targeted and automated attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific sequence of page requests that exploit a flaw in the device's authentication mechanism. Attackers first navigate to the recreate.php endpoint, which appears to reset or recreate session state in a manner that bypasses normal authentication requirements. Subsequently visiting the index.php page allows the attacker to access the administrative interface without proper credentials. This represents a classic session management vulnerability where the system fails to properly validate authentication status across different endpoints, creating a window where unauthenticated access can be obtained through manipulation of the application flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides complete administrative control over the network access point, enabling attackers to modify network configurations, change wireless settings, implement malicious network policies, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. This access can lead to man-in-the-middle attacks, network monitoring, unauthorized access to connected devices, and complete compromise of the wireless network segment. The vulnerability affects organizations relying on these devices for network security, as it undermines the fundamental security model of having protected administrative interfaces that should only be accessible to authorized personnel with proper credentials.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. The flaw also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers legitimate credentials, and T1046, covering network service scanning, as attackers can discover and exploit this vulnerability without requiring specialized tools or prior access. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including firmware updates from NetGear, network segmentation to isolate affected devices, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper authentication state management and the necessity of implementing robust session handling mechanisms in network device management interfaces to prevent unauthorized administrative access.