CVE-2016-1557 in WNAP320
Summary
by MITRE
Netgear WNAP320, WNDAP350, and WNDAP360 before 3.5.5.0 reveal wireless passwords and administrative usernames and passwords over SNMP.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
The CVE-2016-1557 vulnerability affects Netgear wireless access points including the WNAP320, WNDAP350, and WNDAP360 models running firmware versions prior to 3.5.5.0. This critical flaw exposes sensitive network credentials through the Simple Network Management Protocol which operates on port 161/UDP by default. The vulnerability stems from improper access controls within the SNMP implementation that allows unauthenticated attackers to retrieve administrative usernames, passwords, and wireless network credentials without requiring any authentication. This represents a fundamental failure in the principle of least privilege and violates security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks. The vulnerability is classified as a weakness in the information disclosure category under CWE-200, specifically related to improper restriction of information exposure through SNMP.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through standard SNMP enumeration techniques that leverage the default community strings or weak authentication mechanisms within the affected Netgear devices. Attackers can utilize standard tools such as snmpwalk or snmpget to query the device's MIB (Management Information Base) and extract sensitive configuration data including wireless passwords, administrative credentials, and network settings. This flaw demonstrates a critical design oversight where the SNMP service fails to properly validate access requests and implements insufficient access controls for sensitive data retrieval. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to gain complete administrative control over the wireless access point and potentially compromise the entire wireless network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-1557 extends far beyond simple credential exposure, as it provides attackers with the means to establish persistent network access and conduct advanced persistent threats against the affected organization. Once an attacker obtains the wireless passwords, they can seamlessly integrate into the network, potentially using techniques from the MITRE ATT&CK framework such as credential access and lateral movement to expand their access within the network. The vulnerability affects enterprise wireless networks where these devices are commonly deployed, creating potential for widespread compromise of network resources and sensitive data. Organizations using these vulnerable devices face significant risk of network infiltration, man-in-the-middle attacks, and unauthorized access to network resources, particularly in environments where wireless networks serve as primary access points for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-1557 should include immediate firmware updates to version 3.5.5.0 or later, which address the SNMP access control issues and implement proper authentication mechanisms. Network administrators should disable SNMP services entirely if they are not required for network management operations, as outlined in the NIST SP 800-125 guidelines for secure network management. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, deploying network access control measures, and monitoring for unauthorized SNMP traffic can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and patch management programs, as recommended by the ISO 27001 standard for information security management. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous SNMP traffic patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts. Proper network hygiene practices including disabling default accounts, changing default credentials, and implementing strong access controls are essential defensive measures that complement the firmware updates to provide comprehensive protection against this and similar vulnerabilities.