CVE-2018-21125 in WAC510
Summary
by MITRE
NETGEAR WAC510 devices before 5.0.0.17 are affected by authentication bypass.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2024
The CVE-2018-21125 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting NETGEAR WAC510 wireless access point devices running firmware versions prior to 5.0.0.17. This vulnerability resides within the device's web interface authentication mechanism, allowing unauthorized users to gain administrative access without proper credentials. The flaw stems from improper validation of authentication tokens and session management within the device's web server implementation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass the standard login process entirely. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in network infrastructure devices as they can provide attackers with complete control over the affected access point and potentially the broader network segment it serves.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating the authentication flow through crafted HTTP requests or by directly accessing administrative endpoints without proper authentication. The flaw likely manifests through weak session handling where session tokens are either predictable, static, or not properly validated. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, specifically focusing on authentication bypass mechanisms. The root cause typically involves insufficient input validation and inadequate session management practices within the device's web application framework. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to modify network settings, change administrator credentials, disable security features, or even redirect traffic through the compromised device.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-21125 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent backdoor within the network infrastructure. Once exploited, attackers can use the compromised WAC510 device as a pivot point to launch further attacks against internal network resources, potentially enabling lateral movement throughout the network. The vulnerability affects wireless network management capabilities, allowing attackers to modify SSID configurations, implement rogue access points, or disable network monitoring features. This compromise can lead to significant network disruption, data exfiltration, or establishment of persistent network footholds. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms, specifically leveraging the compromised device for network reconnaissance and lateral movement activities.
Organizations should immediately implement firmware updates to version 5.0.0.17 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the authentication bypass flaw. Network segmentation strategies should be employed to isolate critical network segments from potentially compromised access points, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative access patterns. Regular vulnerability assessments and network scanning should include verification of device firmware versions and authentication configurations. Security teams should also implement network access controls and disable unnecessary administrative services to minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware across network infrastructure devices and highlights the critical need for robust authentication mechanisms in embedded network devices that are often overlooked in traditional security assessments.