CVE-2020-14435 in SRK60
Summary
by MITRE
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an unauthenticated attacker. This affects SRK60 before 2.5.2.104, SRS60 before 2.5.2.104, SRR60 before 2.5.2.104, SRK60B03 before 2.5.2.104, SRK60B04 before 2.5.2.104, SRK60B05 before 2.5.2.104, and SRK60B06 before 2.5.2.104.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14435 represents a critical command injection flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR router models within the SRK60, SRS60, and SRR60 series. This security weakness allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices, fundamentally compromising the integrity and confidentiality of network infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically impacts firmware versions prior to 2.5.2.104 across the listed device variants, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting enterprise and residential networks. The affected devices operate within the consumer and small office networking space, making them attractive targets for attackers seeking persistent network access and potential lateral movement opportunities. This flaw enables remote code execution without requiring any authentication credentials, significantly amplifying its potential impact on network security posture.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper sanitization of user-supplied data within the affected device firmware. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get processed through vulnerable command execution pathways, allowing arbitrary shell commands to be executed with the privileges of the affected service. The vulnerability manifests when the device processes network requests containing specially crafted parameters that bypass normal input filtering mechanisms. This type of flaw aligns with CWE-77, which specifically addresses command injection vulnerabilities where untrusted data is incorporated into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. The attack vector typically involves sending malformed HTTP requests or other network protocols directly to the device's web interface or API endpoints, where the vulnerable code path executes the attacker-controlled commands. The lack of authentication requirements makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited from any network location without prior access or credentials.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14435 extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete network compromise and persistent backdoor access. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full control over the affected router, enabling them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, monitor communications, and establish persistent access points for future attacks. The compromised device becomes a potential launching point for broader network infiltration, allowing attackers to scan internal networks, conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, or use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, particularly affecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network services. Organizations may experience service disruption, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations depending on the nature of their network infrastructure and the sensitive data passing through these compromised devices. The vulnerability also aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1021 for remote services, demonstrating how attackers can leverage such flaws to maintain persistent access and escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-14435 primarily focus on firmware updates and network segmentation. Organizations should immediately apply the vendor-provided firmware updates to all affected device models, specifically targeting version 2.5.2.104 or later which contain patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation to limit the potential impact of compromised devices and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns. Additional protective measures include disabling unnecessary services, implementing strong firewall rules, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of network infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date firmware and following secure coding practices, particularly in embedded systems where input validation is critical. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns and provide alerts for potential exploitation attempts. Given the unauthenticated nature of this vulnerability, physical security measures should also be considered to prevent unauthorized access to network devices, particularly in environments where such devices may be physically accessible to potential attackers.