CVE-2019-20663 in RBR50
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by stored XSS. This affects RBR50 before 2.3.5.30, RBS50 before 2.3.5.30, and RBK50 before 2.3.5.30.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2019-20663 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw affecting several NETGEAR RBR50, RBS50, and RBK50 router models prior to firmware version 2.3.5.30. This issue falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically classified as a stored XSS vulnerability where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed when users access affected pages. The affected devices are part of NETGEAR's networking equipment line, which are commonly deployed in both residential and small office environments, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals seeking to exploit user trust and access network resources.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code into the device's web interface through input fields that do not properly sanitize user-supplied data. The stored nature of this XSS means that once the malicious payload is submitted and saved to the device's configuration or management interface, it will execute automatically whenever any user accesses the affected web application. This particularly impacts the device's administration panels where users might enter data such as device names, descriptions, or configuration parameters that are later displayed without proper input validation or output encoding.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the ability to establish persistent access to the affected network infrastructure. When an authenticated user accesses the compromised device's web interface, the malicious script executes in the context of that user's session, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, modify device configurations, redirect traffic, or even establish backdoor access to the internal network. The vulnerability affects devices that are typically managed by users who may not be security-aware, creating an environment where social engineering attacks could easily succeed in injecting malicious payloads. This represents a significant risk for small office networks where device management interfaces are accessed by non-technical personnel who may not recognize the security implications of their actions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate firmware updates to version 2.3.5.30 or later, which would address the underlying input validation issues. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as network segmentation, access control lists, and regular monitoring of device management interfaces for suspicious activity. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing with a malicious attachment. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments of network infrastructure devices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of their IT environment.