CVE-2018-21127 in WAC505
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.0.17 and WAC510 before 5.0.0.17.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21127 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting specific NETGEAR wireless access point models including the WAC505 and WAC510. This vulnerability exposes devices to unauthorized command execution capabilities without requiring authentication, creating a severe security risk for network infrastructure. The affected firmware versions prior to 5.0.0.17 demonstrate a fundamental flaw in input validation and command handling within the device's web interface. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-77 category of Command Injection, which is classified as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process, potentially enabling complete system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the web management interface of the affected devices, where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being processed. An unauthenticated attacker can craft malicious requests that bypass authentication mechanisms and directly inject operating system commands into the device's command execution pipeline. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring any valid credentials. The attack surface is broad as it affects the core web interface functionality, making it accessible to anyone who can reach the device's management port. Network reconnaissance tools can easily identify these vulnerable devices, and automated exploitation scripts can quickly compromise affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass full system compromise and potential network infiltration. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the affected wireless access points, enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors. The compromised devices can then serve as launching points for further attacks within the network, creating a potential lateral movement vector for attackers. This vulnerability also impacts the integrity and availability of the wireless network infrastructure, as attackers can modify or disable network services. The exposure of unauthenticated command execution capabilities directly violates fundamental network security principles and creates an attack surface that can be leveraged for advanced persistent threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-21127 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation. Device administrators should immediately upgrade affected NETGEAR devices to firmware versions 5.0.0.17 or later, which contain patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of these devices to untrusted networks. The implementation of network monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider disabling unnecessary web management interfaces and implementing strong access controls for remaining management access points. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, demonstrating how unauthenticated command injection can enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on target systems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected devices and implement robust patch management processes to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising network infrastructure.