CVE-2019-20708 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 • 05/31/2024
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 three device models including the D3600, D6000, and XR500 routers, with affected firmware versions prior to 1.0.0.76 for D3600 and D6000, and before 2.3.2.32 for XR500. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the device's web interface handling, creating an avenue for malicious command execution through crafted user inputs. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 which describes improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, and represents a direct threat to network infrastructure security. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an adversary must first obtain valid credentials, typically through social engineering, credential theft, or prior compromise of network access. However, once authenticated, the attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary system commands with the privileges of the web application user, potentially leading to complete device compromise and unauthorized network access. The operational impact extends beyond simple command execution as it can enable attackers to modify device configurations, establish persistent backdoors, intercept network traffic, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 for command and script injection, and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant threat vector for advanced persistent threats. The affected devices operate with default administrative credentials that are often left unchanged by users, creating a readily exploitable attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110 for credential access. Network segmentation and firewall rules cannot prevent this attack since it occurs within the device itself, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where these devices may be directly accessible from internal networks. Organizations should prioritize immediate firmware updates to address this vulnerability, as the patch releases contain proper input validation mechanisms that prevent command injection attacks. Additionally, network administrators should implement strict access controls, disable unnecessary services, and monitor for suspicious authentication attempts or unusual network behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices in embedded network devices and highlights the need for regular security assessments of network infrastructure components.