CVE-2020-11784 in D7800
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by stored XSS. This affects D7800 before 1.0.1.56, R7500v2 before 1.0.3.46, R7800 before 1.0.2.68, R8900 before 1.0.4.28, R9000 before 1.0.4.28, RAX120 before 1.0.0.78, RBR50 before 2.3.5.30, RBS50 before 2.3.5.30, RBK50 before 2.3.5.30, XR500 before 2.3.2.56, and XR700 before 1.0.1.10.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2020-11784 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR router models, including popular devices such as the D7800, R7500v2, R7800, and various other models in the R-series and XR-series ranges. This vulnerability resides within the web-based management interfaces of these network devices, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated users. The affected firmware versions span several years of releases, indicating a prolonged period during which these devices remained vulnerable to client-side attacks. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads injected into the device's configuration or management interface are permanently stored and executed whenever the vulnerable web interface is accessed, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who may unknowingly trigger the malicious code during routine maintenance tasks. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized configuration changes, or redirect users to malicious sites that appear to be legitimate administrative interfaces.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows standard stored XSS attack patterns where malicious input is accepted through web forms or configuration fields and subsequently stored in the device's database or configuration files. When administrators or users subsequently access the web interface to view or manage the device, the stored malicious script executes in their browser context, potentially compromising the security of the entire network. This flaw aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and demonstrates how web applications fail to properly validate and sanitize user input before storing it for later use. The vulnerability's persistence stems from inadequate input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the device's web management interface, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes whenever the vulnerable interface is rendered. Network administrators who regularly access these management interfaces become prime targets for such attacks, as the malicious code can persistently compromise their browser sessions and potentially provide attackers with ongoing access to the affected network infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-11784 extends far beyond simple client-side exploitation, as it fundamentally compromises the security posture of affected networks by enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical network management functions. Organizations using these vulnerable devices face significant risks including potential data exfiltration, unauthorized network modifications, and the possibility of establishing persistent backdoors within their network infrastructure. The vulnerability's affect on multiple device models within the NETGEAR portfolio suggests that attackers could target various network segments simultaneously, potentially compromising entire network deployments rather than isolated devices. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where network administrators may manage multiple devices through a single interface, increasing the potential attack surface and impact. The long timeframe during which these devices remained vulnerable also means that organizations may have unknowingly been compromised for extended periods, with attackers potentially using the stored XSS payload to maintain persistent access to network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-11784 require immediate firmware updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, as provided by NETGEAR in their security advisories. Organizations should prioritize updating all affected device models to their latest firmware releases, which typically include proper input validation, output encoding, and sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious script injection. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit administrative access to these devices, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Administrators should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior or unauthorized configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 and its potential alignment with ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.007 for script execution highlights the importance of comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their network infrastructure to identify any other potentially vulnerable devices or systems that may have been compromised during the period when these devices were exposed to the stored XSS vulnerability. Regular security audits and firmware update policies should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities from affecting network infrastructure in the future, ensuring that all managed devices receive timely security patches and updates.