CVE-2017-6077 in DGN2200
Summary
by MITRE
ping.cgi on NETGEAR DGN2200 devices with firmware through 10.0.0.50 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary OS commands via shell metacharacters in the ping_IPAddr field of an HTTP POST request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6077 affects NETGEAR DGN2200 wireless routers running firmware versions through 10.0.0.50 and represents a critical command injection flaw in the device's web management interface. This vulnerability resides within the ping.cgi script which is responsible for handling network ping operations through the web GUI. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, specifically the ping_IPAddr parameter that is processed through HTTP POST requests. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, which respectively address command injection and execution of externally supplied code. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) as it enables remote authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands with the privileges of the web server process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the ping_IPAddr field within HTTP POST requests sent to the affected device's web interface. When an authenticated user submits a ping request with maliciously crafted input containing shell metacharacters such as semicolons, ampersands, or backticks, the device fails to properly sanitize this input before executing the ping command. The vulnerability occurs because the application directly incorporates user-supplied parameters into system commands without appropriate escaping or validation. This allows attackers to inject additional commands that will be executed by the underlying operating system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The authentication requirement means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but once authenticated, they can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the device.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6077 is severe and multifaceted, as it provides attackers with remote code execution capabilities on affected NETGEAR devices. This vulnerability can be exploited to gain full control over the router's functionality, including access to the local network, modification of firewall rules, DNS configuration changes, and potential lateral movement within the network. The compromised device could serve as a pivot point for attackers to target other systems on the network, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. Additionally, the vulnerability could enable attackers to establish persistent access through backdoor installation, data exfiltration, or the deployment of malicious software. The fact that this affects the web management interface means that even users with legitimate access to configure the router can be exploited, making it difficult to distinguish between authorized and unauthorized activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6077 should include immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR, which addressed the command injection vulnerability in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate critical devices and limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual ping activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strengthened through the use of strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication where possible. Regular security assessments of network infrastructure should include vulnerability scanning for similar command injection flaws in other network devices. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation rules can provide additional protection layers. According to industry best practices and NIST guidelines, organizations should also maintain comprehensive incident response procedures that account for potential router compromise scenarios, ensuring rapid detection and remediation of such vulnerabilities.