CVE-2019-20745 in WAC505
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects WAC505 before 5.0.10.2 and WAC510 before 5.0.10.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-20745 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting specific NETGEAR wireless access point models including the WAC505 and WAC510. This security weakness allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized network access. The vulnerability specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 5.0.10.2, indicating that devices running older software versions remain at significant risk. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the device's web interface authentication and command processing components, creating an avenue for malicious command execution.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability manifests as a command injection vulnerability classified under CWE-77, which occurs when a web application incorporates untrusted data into system commands without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The affected NETGEAR devices process user-supplied parameters through web interfaces that fail to adequately validate or escape input before incorporating it into system commands. This allows authenticated users to inject malicious commands that get executed with the privileges of the web server process, typically running with elevated system permissions. The vulnerability exploits the lack of proper input filtering and command construction practices, enabling attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and execute arbitrary code on the target device.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to the affected network infrastructure. Once exploited, authenticated attackers can gain full control over the wireless access points, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, or establish backdoor access for continued unauthorized presence. The vulnerability affects network security operations by compromising the integrity and confidentiality of wireless access control, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt network services or gain unauthorized access to connected devices and resources. This represents a significant threat to enterprise network security, as wireless access points often serve as critical network entry points and control mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-20745 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation. Organizations should immediately upgrade affected NETGEAR devices to firmware versions 5.0.10.2 or later, which contain patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement strict access controls and monitor for unauthorized access attempts, as the vulnerability requires authentication to exploit. Additional security measures include regular vulnerability assessments, network monitoring for suspicious command execution patterns, and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, highlighting the importance of input validation and secure coding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures to address potential compromise of wireless access point infrastructure.