CVE-2019-20703 in D3600
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects D3600 before 1.0.0.76, D6000 before 1.0.0.76, and XR500 before 2.3.2.32.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in NETGEAR networking equipment that allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web interface authentication mechanisms, creating a pathway for privilege escalation through malicious command execution. The affected models include D3600 routers, D6000 devices, and XR500 wireless routers, all of which share a common software vulnerability in their firmware implementations that fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing.
The technical exploitation occurs when an authenticated user submits malicious input through web interface parameters that are subsequently passed to system commands without proper sanitization. This creates a classic command injection vulnerability that operates at the application layer and can be classified under CWE-77 as improper neutralization of special elements used in a command. The vulnerability exists in the device's web server component where user input from HTTP parameters is directly incorporated into system command execution without adequate filtering or encoding, allowing attackers to inject operating system commands that execute with the privileges of the web server process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides authenticated attackers with full command execution capabilities on the affected network devices. Once exploited, attackers can gain complete control over the device's functionality, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, or use the device as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. The vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in residential and small business environments, where they serve as the primary gateway between local networks and the internet, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent access to network infrastructure.
Network security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to the latest versions that address the command injection vulnerability, network segmentation to limit access to affected devices, and monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls to restrict web interface access to trusted administrators only, disable unnecessary services, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The affected devices should be prioritized for immediate patching as the vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where device access is not properly controlled.