CVE-2018-21131 in WAC505
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by unauthenticated firmware downgrade. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.0.17 and WAC510 before 5.0.0.17.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21131 represents a critical security flaw in NETGEAR wireless access point devices that allows unauthorized firmware downgrades without authentication. This issue affects specific models including the WAC505 and WAC510, with affected versions prior to 5.0.0.17. The vulnerability stems from insufficient authentication mechanisms during the firmware update process, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate device firmware versions. This flaw directly violates security principles by allowing arbitrary modification of device software state without proper authorization checks, potentially enabling attackers to install older firmware versions that may contain known vulnerabilities or backdoors.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability manifests as a lack of proper authentication and authorization controls during firmware downgrade operations. The affected devices fail to validate the identity of users attempting to modify firmware versions, creating an unauthenticated access vector that can be exploited remotely. This weakness aligns with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues, and represents a significant deviation from secure coding practices that require robust authentication mechanisms for critical system operations. The flaw exists in the device's firmware update interface where it accepts downgrade commands without verifying administrative credentials or implementing proper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables attackers to potentially downgrade devices to versions containing known security flaws or backdoors. An attacker who can exploit this vulnerability gains the ability to install older firmware versions that may lack recent security patches, potentially reintroducing previously patched vulnerabilities or introducing new attack vectors. This capability undermines the device's security posture and can lead to complete device compromise, as older firmware versions often contain unpatched security issues. The vulnerability also enables persistent access to network infrastructure, as attackers can maintain control even after security updates are applied to other systems.
Network security implications extend beyond individual device compromise to potential widespread infrastructure disruption. When attackers can downgrade firmware on wireless access points, they effectively gain control over network access points that may be used for legitimate network operations. This vulnerability creates opportunities for man-in-the-middle attacks, network reconnaissance, and potential lateral movement within affected networks. The ability to downgrade firmware without authentication also complicates security monitoring and incident response efforts, as unauthorized changes to device firmware may go undetected. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling and incident response planning, particularly in environments where wireless access points serve as critical network infrastructure components.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2018-21131 include immediate firmware updates to versions 5.0.0.17 or later for affected WAC505 and WAC510 devices. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit access to wireless access points and ensure that only authorized personnel can access device management interfaces. Additional security measures include implementing network monitoring to detect unusual firmware modification patterns and establishing robust change management procedures for network infrastructure devices. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify unauthorized access attempts to device management interfaces and maintain comprehensive network device inventories to track all affected devices within their infrastructure.