CVE-2018-21128 in WAC505
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. 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-2018-21128 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting specific NETGEAR wireless access controller devices including the WAC505 and WAC510 models. This issue stems from improper authentication mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to gain administrative access to affected devices without proper credentials. The vulnerability specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 5.0.0.17, indicating that devices running these older firmware versions remain exposed to potential exploitation. The affected devices operate within enterprise wireless networking environments where unauthorized access could compromise entire network infrastructures. This authentication bypass vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category, which addresses improper authentication issues in network devices. The flaw enables attackers to bypass the standard authentication process and assume administrative privileges, potentially allowing them to modify network configurations, access sensitive data, or disrupt network services.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability appears to involve weaknesses in the device's web-based management interface authentication mechanism. Attackers can exploit this flaw by directly accessing administrative functions without providing valid login credentials, effectively circumventing the authentication layer entirely. The vulnerability likely stems from insufficient input validation or improper session management within the web interface. This type of flaw represents a significant security risk as it allows attackers to perform administrative operations that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The attack vector typically involves direct network access to the device's management interface, making it particularly dangerous in environments where such interfaces are exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and legitimate credentials for unauthorized access, though in this case the bypass occurs through the authentication mechanism itself rather than credential theft.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent network footholds and conduct further reconnaissance activities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could modify wireless network configurations, create backdoor accounts, or redirect network traffic to malicious endpoints. The affected devices serve as critical network infrastructure components, and their compromise could result in widespread network disruption or data exfiltration. Organizations using these devices may experience unauthorized network access, potential data breaches, and service interruptions that could affect business continuity. The vulnerability also increases the risk of lateral movement within networks where these devices are deployed, as attackers could use compromised devices as stepping stones to access other network segments. Additionally, the security posture of the entire organization could be weakened if attackers use the compromised devices to monitor network traffic or establish command and control channels.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate firmware updates to versions 5.0.0.17 or later, which address the authentication bypass flaw through proper implementation of authentication controls. Network administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory checks to identify all affected devices and prioritize their remediation. Physical and network access controls should be strengthened to limit direct access to management interfaces, implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to administrative ports. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities in other network equipment. The implementation of network monitoring solutions can help detect suspicious access patterns or unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also establish robust patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all network infrastructure components. Additionally, multi-factor authentication should be implemented where possible, and administrative access should be restricted to trusted network segments with proper network access controls. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining current firmware versions and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect critical network infrastructure components from unauthorized access.