CVE-2019-20678 in RBR20
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by stored XSS. This affects RBR20 before 2.3.5.26, RBS20 before 2.3.5.26, RBK20 before 2.3.5.26, RBR40 before 2.3.5.30, RBS40 before 2.3.5.30, RBK40 before 2.3.5.30, 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 identified as CVE-2019-20678 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR wireless router models including the RBR20, RBS20, RBK20, RBR40, RBS40, RBK40, RBR50, RBS50, and RBK50 series. This vulnerability resides in the web-based management interface of these devices, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that persist in the device's memory and execute whenever the affected interface is accessed. The flaw specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 2.3.5.26 for the RBR20, RBS20, and RBK20 models, and prior to 2.3.5.30 for the RBR40, RBS40, RBK40, RBR50, RBS50, and RBK50 models, indicating a widespread issue across NETGEAR's business class networking equipment. The stored XSS vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the victim's browser session when administrators or users access the compromised device's web interface, creating a persistent threat that can affect anyone with access to the administrative panel. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws, specifically classified as a stored XSS variant where malicious input is permanently stored on the target server and then served to other users. The attack surface extends beyond simple script execution to include potential privilege escalation and unauthorized access to sensitive network configuration data. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to enterprise networks as it allows attackers to compromise the administrative interface of critical network infrastructure devices, potentially leading to complete network takeover. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that even after the initial attack vector is closed, the malicious scripts remain active and can continue to compromise users who access the device's management interface. This creates a long-term threat that can affect multiple users over extended periods. Network administrators who regularly access these devices for management purposes become prime targets for exploitation, as any interaction with the compromised interface could trigger the malicious script execution. The vulnerability can be exploited to steal administrative credentials, modify network configurations, redirect traffic, or install backdoors on the affected devices. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS and T1566.001 for credential harvesting through phishing, as attackers can use the compromised interface to extract sensitive information. The impact extends to network integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially disrupt network operations or create unauthorized access points. Mitigation strategies should include immediate firmware updates to versions 2.3.5.26 or later for the affected models, implementing network segmentation to limit access to administrative interfaces, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unauthorized modifications to device configurations. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security assessments of network infrastructure to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Organizations should also conduct security awareness training for personnel who manage these devices to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that could exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process requires careful planning to ensure that firmware updates do not disrupt network operations, and that proper backup procedures are in place to restore device configurations if needed.