CVE-2018-21167 in D6100
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by stored XSS. This affects D6100 before 1.0.0.57, DM200 before 1.0.0.50, EX2700 before 1.0.1.32, EX6100v2 before 1.0.1.70, EX6150v2 before 1.0.1.70, EX6200v2 before 1.0.1.62, EX6400 before 1.0.1.78, EX7300 before 1.0.1.78, EX8000 before 1.0.0.114, R6100 before 1.0.1.22, R7500 before 1.0.0.122, R7800 before 1.0.2.42, R8900 before 1.0.3.10, R9000 before 1.0.3.10, WN2000RPTv3 before 1.0.1.26, WN3000RPv3 before 1.0.2.66, WN3100RPv2 before 1.0.0.42, WNDR3700v4 before 1.0.2.96, WNDR4300 before 1.0.2.98, WNDR4300v2 before 1.0.0.54, WNDR4500v3 before 1.0.0.54, and WNR2000v5 before 1.0.0.64.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects numerous NETGEAR wireless routers and access points across multiple product lines. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding within the web-based management interfaces of these devices, allowing authenticated attackers with network access to inject malicious scripts that persist in the device's configuration or logging systems. The affected models span various generations and price points, indicating a widespread issue that impacts both consumer and enterprise networking equipment. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws where untrusted data is improperly incorporated into web page content without proper sanitization or encoding.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of parameters within the device's web interface, particularly in fields that handle user input for configuration settings, logging, or device identification. Attackers can craft malicious payloads that get stored in the device's memory or configuration files, which are then executed whenever the affected web interface is accessed by an authenticated user. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious script persists even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the device management interfaces that are typically accessed by network administrators who may have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it could enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal administrative credentials, or redirect users to malicious sites. Network administrators who regularly access these devices for configuration management become prime targets for exploitation, as their sessions could be hijacked or compromised. The persistence of the stored script means that even if administrators change their passwords or update configurations, the malicious code could continue to execute whenever the vulnerable interface is accessed. This creates a potential attack vector for maintaining persistent access to networks and could facilitate broader compromise of connected systems. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing via email, as attackers could leverage the compromised device to launch further attacks against networked systems.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the identified XSS vulnerabilities, as well as implementing network segmentation to limit access to device management interfaces. Organizations should enforce strict access controls and limit administrative privileges to only necessary personnel. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior in device management traffic, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network equipment. Additionally, network administrators should be trained to recognize signs of potential XSS exploitation and implement proper input validation practices when configuring network devices. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and the critical need for security testing in network infrastructure equipment, particularly in enterprise environments where device management interfaces are frequently accessed by privileged users.