CVE-2018-21114 in D7800
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects D7800 before 1.0.1.44, EX6150v2 before 1.0.1.70, EX6100v2 before 1.0.1.70, EX6200v2 before 1.0.1.64, EX7300 before 1.0.2.136, EX6400 before 1.0.2.136, R6100 before 1.0.1.16, R7500 before 1.0.0.110, R7800 before 1.0.2.32, R9000 before 1.0.4.12, WN3000RPv2 before 1.0.0.56, WN3000RPv3 before 1.0.2.52, WNDR4300v2 before 1.0.0.50, and WNDR4500v3 before 1.0.0.50.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in NETGEAR networking equipment that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. The issue stems from insufficient input validation within the web interface of these routers and access points, enabling malicious actors who have already gained administrative credentials to escalate their privileges and execute system-level commands. The affected models span multiple product lines including the D7800, EX6150v2, EX6100v2, EX6200v2, EX7300, EX6400, R6100, R7500, R7800, R9000, WN3000RPv2, WN3000RPv3, WNDR4300v2, and WNDR4500v3, indicating a widespread issue across NETGEAR's product portfolio. The vulnerability exists in firmware versions prior to the specified patches, with each model requiring a specific minimum firmware version to mitigate the risk.
The technical nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-77, which describes command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets passed directly to underlying operating system commands, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious code. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this privilege escalation to gain full administrative control over the device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it allows attackers to manipulate network traffic, redirect connections, install malicious software, and potentially use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. Network administrators face significant risks when these devices are deployed in enterprise or residential environments, as they become potential entry points for broader attacks. The vulnerability particularly affects home and small office networks where device management may be less secure, and where users might not regularly update firmware. Organizations with multiple affected devices face the challenge of identifying all vulnerable endpoints and ensuring timely firmware updates across their entire network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the latest versions that address the command injection vulnerability. Network administrators must also implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized administrative access attempts. Additional security measures include network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise, regular security audits of network devices, and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices in embedded systems and the critical need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices. Organizations should also consider implementing device authentication mechanisms beyond simple username/password combinations, such as two-factor authentication, to reduce the risk of unauthorized access to network devices. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security implications of firmware vulnerabilities in network infrastructure equipment and the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all network components.