CVE-2019-20653 in WAC505
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by denial of service. This affects WAC505 before 8.0.6.4 and WAC510 before 8.0.6.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20653 represents a denial of service condition affecting specific NETGEAR wireless access point models including the WAC505 and WAC510. This issue stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the device firmware that fails to properly handle malformed or unexpected network traffic patterns. The affected devices operate with firmware versions prior to 8.0.6.4, indicating that this represents a known weakness in the authentication and packet processing routines that govern how these wireless access points interact with network clients. The vulnerability manifests when the device encounters crafted network packets or malformed requests that trigger an unexpected behavior in the underlying network processing stack, leading to system instability and complete service disruption.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through a classic buffer over-read or improper state handling mechanism that falls under CWE-129, which addresses issues related to insufficient input validation. The flaw likely occurs during the processing of wireless management frames or authentication requests where the device fails to properly validate the length or structure of incoming data packets. This allows an attacker positioned within the wireless network range or potentially on the same network segment to send specifically crafted packets that cause the device to enter a crash loop or become unresponsive. The root cause typically involves the device's inability to properly sanitize incoming wireless frames or control messages, leading to memory corruption or execution flow disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption as it affects the availability of wireless network services for legitimate users. When exploited successfully, the denial of service condition can persist for extended periods until manual intervention occurs, potentially disrupting business operations or personal connectivity in environments where these devices serve as primary wireless infrastructure. Network administrators may experience complete loss of wireless access for users within the affected device's coverage area, with the device requiring either a power cycle or firmware update to restore normal operation. This type of vulnerability particularly affects enterprise environments where wireless access points serve critical business functions, creating potential cascading effects on productivity and network availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-20653 should prioritize immediate firmware updates to versions 8.0.6.4 or later, as provided by NETGEAR through their official support channels. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the attack surface and reduce the potential for exploitation, particularly by ensuring that wireless access points are not directly accessible from untrusted network segments. Network monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual traffic patterns or repeated connection attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which covers network denial of service attacks, making it a critical target for defensive measures. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and authentication mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized users from exploiting the vulnerability, while regular vulnerability assessments should include checking for outdated firmware versions across all network infrastructure components to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.