CVE-2018-21224 in D3600
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by a buffer overflow by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects D3600 before 1.0.0.67, D6000 before 1.0.0.67, D7800 before 1.0.1.30, R6100 before 1.0.1.20, R7500 before 1.0.0.118, R7500v2 before 1.0.3.24, R9000 before 1.0.2.52, WNDR3700v4 before 1.0.2.96, WNDR4300 before 1.0.2.98, 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 • 06/04/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting multiple NETGEAR router models that has significant implications for network security and device integrity. The flaw exists within the web interface handling of these devices, specifically in how they process incoming HTTP requests without proper input validation mechanisms. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted payloads to the affected devices, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects a wide range of consumer and small office networking equipment including the D3600, D6000, D7800, R6100, R7500, R7500v2, R9000, WNDR3700v4, WNDR4300, WNDR4300v2, WNDR4500v3, and WNR2000v5 models. The affected firmware versions indicate that this issue has persisted across multiple generations of these devices, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the software architecture rather than a one-time coding error. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in network services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple device compromise to potentially enable attackers to gain persistent access to network infrastructures. Once exploited, the buffer overflow could allow an attacker to execute malicious code with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete network takeover. The unauthenticated nature of this exploit means that attackers do not require any credentials to attempt the attack, making it particularly dangerous for devices deployed in unsecured environments. Network administrators face the challenge of securing devices that may be exposed to the internet without proper network segmentation or firewall protection. The affected devices typically serve as the primary gateway for network traffic, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking to establish persistent footholds within corporate or residential networks. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of firmware security updates, as many users may not regularly update their networking equipment, leaving these devices exposed for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to isolate affected devices from critical systems and establish monitoring for unusual traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network access control policies should be enforced to limit direct internet access to these devices where possible, while also implementing proper firewall rules to restrict access to administrative interfaces. The vulnerability highlights the need for robust input validation practices in embedded network devices, emphasizing the importance of following secure coding guidelines and conducting regular security assessments of network infrastructure components. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting these specific device models. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1210, which involves exploiting buffer overflow vulnerabilities, and organizations should incorporate this threat into their overall security posture assessments. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management programs should include specific checks for these NETGEAR device models to ensure comprehensive protection against similar future vulnerabilities.