CVE-2019-20729 in JNDR3000
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by incorrect configuration of security settings. This affects JNDR3000 before 1.0.0.22, R6250 before 1.0.4.26, R6300v2 before 1.0.4.22, R6400 before 1.0.1.36, R6400v2 before 1.0.2.52, R6700 before 1.0.1.44, R6900 before 1.0.1.44, R7000 before 1.0.9.28, R6900P before 1.3.1.26, R7000P before 1.3.1.26, R7300DST before 1.0.0.62, R7900 before 1.0.2.16, R8000 before 1.0.4.18, R7900P before 1.4.1.42, R8000P before 1.4.1.42, R8300 before 1.0.2.116, R8500 before 1.0.2.116, WNDR3400v3 before 1.0.1.18, WNDR4500v2 before 1.0.0.68, and WNR3500Lv2 before 1.2.0.48.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2024
This vulnerability represents a critical configuration weakness in NETGEAR router firmware that undermines fundamental network security controls. The affected devices suffer from improper security setting implementations that create persistent exposure vectors within corporate and residential networks. The vulnerability affects multiple router models across different product lines including the JNDR3000, R6250, R6300v2, and numerous other variants, with specific firmware version thresholds indicating the scope of the configuration flaw. These devices operate at the network perimeter where they handle critical traffic flows between internal networks and external internet connections, making them attractive targets for adversaries seeking to establish persistent access points.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate implementation of security controls that should normally be enforced by router firmware configurations. This misconfiguration allows for unauthorized access to administrative interfaces and potentially enables remote code execution or privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability falls under the category of configuration mismanagement that aligns with CWE-706, which addresses the use of components with known vulnerabilities due to incorrect configuration. When routers are deployed with default settings or improperly configured security parameters, they become susceptible to exploitation by threat actors who can leverage these weaknesses to gain control over network infrastructure. The specific firmware versions mentioned indicate that the issue was present in older releases where security hardening measures were either absent or inadequately implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access issues to encompass complete network compromise scenarios. Network administrators who deploy these affected devices face significant risks including unauthorized network access, data exfiltration, and potential use as stepping stones for lateral movement within larger networks. The vulnerability affects devices that typically serve as primary gateways for home and small office networks, making them critical attack vectors for both individual users and enterprise environments that may have connected devices. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.001 for application layer protocol usage and potentially T1566 for social engineering through network infrastructure compromise. Organizations using these devices may experience unauthorized access to internal systems, disruption of network services, and potential compliance violations due to inadequate security controls.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to the latest available versions that address the configuration flaws. Network administrators must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices within their network infrastructure and implement mandatory update policies. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing network segmentation, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security assessments and firmware maintenance programs, as outlined in NIST SP 800-125 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards. Organizations should also implement network access controls and monitor for unauthorized administrative access attempts, as the misconfigured security settings may allow attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and gain full administrative privileges over affected devices.