CVE-2018-21110 in R7800
Summary
by MITRE
NETGEAR R7800 devices before 1.0.2.60 are affected by command injection by an authenticated user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21110 affects NETGEAR R7800 wireless routers running firmware versions prior to 1.0.2.60, representing a critical command injection flaw that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the affected devices. This vulnerability resides within the router's web interface management system, where insufficient input validation permits maliciously crafted parameters to be passed directly to underlying system commands without proper sanitization. The affected device operates with elevated privileges, meaning that any successful exploitation would grant the attacker complete control over the router's functionality and potentially the entire network segment it serves.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user-supplied input within the device's web management interface. When administrators or authorized users access certain configuration pages, the router fails to properly validate or sanitize parameters passed through HTTP requests, creating an environment where command injection attacks can be successfully executed. This flaw aligns with CWE-77 which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities, and the attack vector is classified as an authenticated command injection scenario. The vulnerability enables an attacker with valid credentials to leverage the device's administrative privileges to execute arbitrary shell commands, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to network security and integrity. An authenticated attacker could use this flaw to gain root access to the router, allowing them to modify firewall rules, change network configurations, intercept traffic, or establish persistent backdoors. The impact extends beyond the individual device, as compromised routers can serve as launching points for lateral movement within networks, potentially enabling attackers to access connected systems and sensitive data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who have legitimate access to the device's management interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-21110 focus primarily on firmware updates, as NETGEAR released version 1.0.2.60 to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should immediately update all affected R7800 devices to the latest firmware version available from NETGEAR's official website. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict access controls and monitoring of router management interfaces to detect unauthorized access attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only authorized personnel have administrative access to network devices. Security professionals should also consider implementing network segmentation and intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular firmware updates and proper input validation in embedded systems, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage, where attackers exploit such vulnerabilities to execute malicious commands through legitimate administrative interfaces.