CVE-2019-20706 in R7800
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects R7800 before 1.0.2.60 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 vulnerability specifically impacts R7800 routers running firmware versions prior to 1.0.2.60 and XR500 routers running firmware versions prior to 2.3.2.32, exposing these devices to potential remote exploitation. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the device's web interface, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper escaping or filtering mechanisms. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-77 which categorizes command injection flaws as a serious security weakness that enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system with the privileges of the affected service.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as authenticated users can leverage this flaw to gain full control over the affected networking equipment. Attackers can potentially access sensitive network configurations, modify routing tables, intercept traffic, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication credentials, which are often obtained through social engineering, credential reuse attacks, or other initial compromise techniques. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts as a means of gaining access, and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreters for execution. The affected devices represent critical network infrastructure components that, when compromised, can provide attackers with lateral movement capabilities and full network control.
Network administrators should immediately implement firmware updates to address this vulnerability, as NETGEAR has released patches for both affected models. The remediation process requires careful planning to avoid service disruption, particularly in enterprise environments where these devices may be managing critical network operations. Additional mitigations include implementing network segmentation to limit access to these devices, enforcing strict access controls through firewall rules, and monitoring for unusual command execution patterns. Security teams should also consider conducting vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected NETGEAR devices within their network infrastructure, as this vulnerability may be part of a broader pattern of insecure input handling in network equipment. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in embedded systems, particularly in network infrastructure devices that are often overlooked in security assessments.