CVE-2018-21175 in D6100
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by a stack-based buffer overflow by an authenticated user. This affects D6100 before 1.0.0.57, R6100 before 1.0.1.20, R7800 before 1.0.2.40, R9000 before 1.0.2.52, WNDR3700v4 before 1.0.2.92, WNDR4300 before 1.0.2.94, WNDR4300v2 before 1.0.0.50, WNDR4500v3 before 1.0.0.50, and WNR2000v5 before 1.0.0.62.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-21175 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR router models including D6100, R6100, R7800, R9000, and various WNDR and WNR series devices. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the device's web management interface, specifically when processing user-supplied data through HTTP requests. The flaw allows an authenticated attacker with access to the device's administrative interface to exploit the buffer overflow condition by sending specially crafted payloads that exceed the allocated stack buffer size, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of a fixed-length stack buffer. In the context of network devices, this represents a significant security risk as it enables authenticated remote code execution capabilities. The vulnerability affects devices running firmware versions prior to the specified patches, with each model requiring specific version updates to remediate the issue. The authenticated nature of the exploit means that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to the device's administrative interface, though this access is often achievable through default credentials or credential reuse attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system compromise, as affected routers serve as critical network infrastructure components that control network traffic flow, provide firewall protection, and manage network access. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to gain full administrative control over the affected devices, allowing them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, or use the compromised devices as entry points for further network infiltration. The vulnerability's presence in multiple device models across different product lines indicates a systemic flaw in the firmware development process, potentially affecting thousands of devices deployed in residential and enterprise environments.
Network security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation of affected devices through firmware updates provided by NETGEAR, as these patches address the underlying buffer overflow condition by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in embedded systems, particularly those with web-based management interfaces. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such compromises and establish robust credential management policies to prevent unauthorized access to administrative interfaces. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the need for continuous security monitoring and vulnerability assessment programs to identify and remediate similar issues in network infrastructure components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and execution techniques, where an authenticated user can leverage the buffer overflow to gain elevated privileges and execute malicious code within the device's operating environment.