CVE-2020-11786 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-2020-11786 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects multiple NETGEAR networking devices, specifically targeting routers and wireless access points across various product lines. This security weakness allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the device's web interface that persist across user sessions, making it particularly dangerous for network administrators who regularly interact with these management interfaces. The affected models include the D7800, R7500v2, R7800, R8900, R9000, RAX120, RBR50, RBS50, RBK50, XR500, and XR700 series, all of which were shipped with firmware versions prior to the specified patches. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the web-based administration interfaces of these devices, creating an attack surface where malicious code can be stored and executed when legitimate users access the device management pages.
The technical implementation of this stored XSS vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered back to users within the web interface. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get stored in device configuration fields or user management areas, then executed when administrators or other users view the affected pages. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored variant where the malicious script is permanently stored on the server and executed each time the page is loaded. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in network infrastructure devices because it can provide attackers with persistent access to administrative functions, potentially enabling them to modify device configurations, extract sensitive information, or establish backdoor access points.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-11786 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities within the compromised network environment. Network administrators who regularly access these devices through web interfaces become potential victims, as their browser sessions can be hijacked to execute unauthorized commands or steal session cookies. The vulnerability can be leveraged to redirect users to malicious sites, extract administrative credentials, or even modify network settings to create man-in-the-middle attack capabilities. Additionally, the persistence of stored XSS means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it continues to affect any user who accesses the vulnerable interface until the device is patched or the malicious content is manually removed. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where multiple administrators may access the same device management interfaces, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive network configurations and monitoring capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-11786 focus primarily on firmware updates and administrative controls to prevent exploitation of the stored XSS vulnerability. Device manufacturers have released patches for all affected NETGEAR models, requiring users to update their firmware to versions that properly sanitize user input and prevent malicious scripts from being stored in the device management interface. Network administrators should prioritize immediate firmware updates across all affected devices, particularly those that are publicly accessible or connected to untrusted networks. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to isolate critical network infrastructure, disabling web management interfaces when not actively needed, and establishing robust monitoring to detect suspicious activity in device management sessions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1566 for credential access through exploitation of web application vulnerabilities, highlighting the multi-faceted attack vectors that can emerge from a single stored XSS flaw. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and input validation controls to provide additional layers of protection against similar vulnerabilities in network infrastructure devices.