CVE-2018-21119 in WAC505
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.5.4 and WAC510 before 5.0.5.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21119 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting specific NETGEAR wireless access point models including the WAC505 and WAC510. This security weakness allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices, potentially compromising the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 5.0.5.4, indicating that devices running older software versions remain at significant risk. The affected models operate within enterprise and small office environments where wireless access points serve as critical network components, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on NETGEAR hardware for their wireless infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this command injection vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the device's web interface authentication system. When an authenticated user submits malicious input through specific parameters, the system fails to properly validate or escape the input before processing it within the command execution context. This flaw aligns with CWE-77 which describes command injection vulnerabilities that occur when untrusted data is passed to system commands without proper sanitization. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials to exploit, meaning that any user with legitimate access to the device's management interface can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the web server process. The attack vector typically involves manipulating form fields or API endpoints that handle user input, where the system directly incorporates user-supplied data into system commands without adequate security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized command execution, potentially enabling attackers to gain complete control over affected wireless access points and subsequently compromise the broader network. An attacker with authenticated access could use this vulnerability to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious software, or establish persistent backdoors within the wireless infrastructure. This capability directly maps to several tactics within the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to privilege escalation and persistence. The vulnerability could enable attackers to move laterally within networks, as wireless access points often serve as gateways to internal systems and may provide access to sensitive resources that would otherwise be protected by network segmentation. Organizations using these affected devices face potential data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations that could result in significant financial and reputational damage.
Organizations should immediately implement remediation measures by updating all affected NETGEAR WAC505 and WAC510 devices to firmware version 5.0.5.4 or later, which contains the necessary security patches to address this vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls including network segmentation, monitoring of unusual network activity, and regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential entry points. The implementation of web application firewalls and input validation controls can provide additional layers of protection even if the primary vulnerability is not immediately patched. Security teams should also conduct thorough access reviews to ensure that only authorized personnel have administrative access to these devices, as the vulnerability requires authentication to exploit. Regular security awareness training for network administrators can help prevent credential compromise that might enable attackers to leverage this vulnerability. Organizations should also maintain detailed inventory records of all network devices and their firmware versions to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their infrastructure.