CVE-2018-21095 in SRR60
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by stored XSS. This affects SRR60 before 2.2.1.210 and SRS60 before 2.2.1.210.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21095 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw affecting specific NETGEAR network devices including the SRR60 and SRS60 series. This security weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web interfaces that persist and execute when other users access the affected systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 2.2.1.210 for SRR60 devices and 2.2.1.210 for SRS60 devices, indicating a targeted issue within these particular device models and their software implementations. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads are permanently saved on the device's web server and executed whenever legitimate users interact with the affected web interface, creating a persistent threat vector.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the web administration interfaces of these NETGEAR devices. When users enter data through web forms or configuration parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This allows attackers to submit malicious payloads that are stored in the device's configuration or database, which are then served to other users without proper sanitization. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and more precisely to CWE-80 which details stored XSS implementations. The attack chain typically involves an attacker accessing the device's web interface, injecting malicious scripts through vulnerable input fields, and then waiting for legitimate users to view the affected pages where the scripts execute in their browsers.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-21095 extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the network environment. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious scripts, they can potentially steal user sessions, redirect victims to phishing sites, deface web interfaces, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation within the device's administrative context. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the attack remains effective even after the initial injection, allowing attackers to maintain access and control over the compromised device for extended periods. This vulnerability particularly affects network administrators who regularly use the web interfaces to manage device configurations, making them prime targets for exploitation. The impact is further amplified by the fact that these devices often serve as network gateways or routers, potentially providing attackers with elevated privileges and access to critical network infrastructure. Organizations may face significant security risks including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of entire network segments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-21095 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions 2.2.1.210 or later for affected SRR60 and SRS60 devices. Network administrators must ensure all impacted devices receive the latest security patches from NETGEAR to address the stored XSS vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to these administrative interfaces, enforcing strict access controls and authentication mechanisms, and monitoring web interface access logs for suspicious activities. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, as well as conducting regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of updated firmware to ensure that the security patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing network configurations. Organizations should also implement security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential social engineering attempts that might precede such attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability relates to T1059.007 for scripting and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, highlighting the multi-faceted approach required for comprehensive defense against such threats.