CVE-2018-21121 in GS810EMX
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects GS810EMX before 1.0.0.5, XS512EM before 1.0.0.6, and XS724EM before 1.0.0.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21121 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR network switching devices including the GS810EMX, XS512EM, and XS724EM models. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of these devices and allows unauthorized users to gain administrative access without proper authentication credentials. The flaw specifically impacts firmware versions prior to the mentioned secure releases, creating a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this authentication bypass stems from insufficient input validation and improper session management within the device's web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specific HTTP requests that bypass the normal authentication mechanisms, effectively allowing them to access the device's administrative console and modify network configurations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category of Improper Authentication, which is a fundamental security weakness that directly impacts the device's ability to verify user identities. The flaw enables attackers to perform actions such as changing network settings, modifying user accounts, disabling security features, and potentially gaining access to the entire network segment managed by these switches.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching within enterprise and small business network environments. Network administrators may unknowingly leave these devices exposed to unauthorized access, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate network traffic, redirect connections, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The affected devices serve as critical network switches that control traffic flow between network segments, making them prime targets for attackers seeking to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to network resources. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for initial access and T1566 Phishing for Initial Access, though the primary exploitation method involves direct network-based attacks against the vulnerable web interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates to the latest secure versions as provided by NETGEAR. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and prioritize their remediation. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit access to these management interfaces, while disabling unnecessary web management services when possible. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to prevent exploitation of known authentication bypass vulnerabilities.