CVE-2018-21226 in JNR1010v2
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by authentication bypass. This affects JNR1010v2 before 1.1.0.48, JWNR2010v5 before 1.1.0.48, WNR1000v4 before 1.1.0.48, WNR2020 before 1.1.0.48, and WNR2050 before 1.1.0.48.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR wireless routers and access points within the JNR1010v2, JWNR2010v5, WNR1000v4, WNR2020, and WNR2050 device families. The issue stems from improper authentication mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to gain administrative access to affected devices without providing valid credentials. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-287 category, which specifically addresses authentication failures in software systems. The affected firmware versions prior to 1.1.0.48 contain a design flaw where the authentication process can be circumvented through specific network requests or manipulation of the device's web interface. This authentication bypass vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary commands, modify network configurations, and potentially gain full control over the affected network infrastructure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent security risk for organizations and individuals using these devices. Attackers can exploit this flaw to establish persistent backdoors, modify DNS settings, redirect traffic, or disable security features such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems. The vulnerability's presence in consumer-grade networking equipment means that it affects not only enterprise deployments but also residential networks, creating widespread exposure across both private and public network segments. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078.004 which covers valid accounts and T1566.002 which involves spearphishing with social engineering, as attackers can leverage this bypass to maintain long-term access to networks. The authentication bypass allows threat actors to perform reconnaissance activities, establish command and control channels, and potentially pivot to other systems within the compromised network.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the authentication bypass flaw. Organizations should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and monitoring should be implemented to detect suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing additional access controls such as disabling unnecessary services, configuring secure network protocols, and establishing robust network monitoring procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of firmware security updates and proper authentication mechanisms in network infrastructure devices. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other networking equipment and ensure that all devices maintain current security patches. Given the nature of this vulnerability, it represents a significant risk to network integrity and requires immediate attention from network administrators to prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors.