CVE-2018-21102 in ReadyNAS
Summary
by MITRE
NETGEAR ReadyNAS devices before 6.9.3 are affected by CSRF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21102 represents a cross-site request forgery issue affecting NETGEAR ReadyNAS storage devices prior to firmware version 6.9.3. This security flaw resides within the web-based management interface of these network-attached storage devices, which are widely deployed in both enterprise and home environments for centralized data storage and sharing. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper anti-CSRF protections in the device's web administration panels, making them susceptible to unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability allows an attacker to craft malicious web pages or links that, when visited by an authenticated user, automatically submit requests to the ReadyNAS device's management interface. These requests can modify device configurations, add or remove users, change network settings, or perform other administrative actions that would normally require explicit user interaction and authentication. The flaw occurs because the device does not validate the origin of requests or implement anti-CSRF tokens in its web forms and API endpoints. According to CWE classification, this corresponds to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities where the application fails to validate the source of requests or enforce proper session controls. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because ReadyNAS devices often serve as central storage points for sensitive corporate data, personal files, and critical business information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it can lead to complete device compromise and unauthorized access to stored data. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could potentially gain persistent access to the storage device, modify access controls, install malicious software, or even render the device unusable through destructive configuration changes. The attack vector typically involves tricking a legitimate user into visiting a malicious website or clicking on a compromised link while logged into their ReadyNAS device, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may browse untrusted websites or receive phishing emails. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which describes application layer protocol usage for command and control communications, as compromised devices could be used for further network infiltration or data exfiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-21102 primarily focus on updating to the patched firmware version 6.9.3 or later, which includes proper anti-CSRF token implementation and request validation mechanisms. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting administrative access to trusted networks, implementing network segmentation, and monitoring for unusual configuration changes. The device should be configured to use strong authentication mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication where possible, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify any potential compromise indicators. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls to limit exposure of administrative interfaces to internal networks only, and deploy web application firewalls or security monitoring tools to detect suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for network-attached storage devices that serve as central points of data access and control.