CVE-2020-26903 in CBR40
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2020
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by disclosure of administrative credentials. This affects CBR40 before 2.5.0.10, RBK752 before 3.2.15.25, RBR750 before 3.2.15.25, RBS750 before 3.2.15.25, RBK852 before 3.2.10.11, RBR850 before 3.2.10.11, and RBS850 before 3.2.10.11.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-26903 represents a critical security flaw in multiple NETGEAR wireless router and networking device models that exposes administrative credentials through improper configuration or implementation. This issue affects a range of devices including CBR40, RBK752, RBR750, RBS750, RBK852, RBR850, and RBS850 models across specific firmware versions, creating a significant risk for network administrators and organizations relying on these devices for network infrastructure. The flaw falls under the category of credential exposure, which directly violates fundamental security principles and creates opportunities for unauthorized access to critical network resources. According to CWE-200, this vulnerability represents an information exposure issue where sensitive data such as administrative credentials are disclosed to unauthorized parties, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to establish persistent access to network environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate security measures within the device firmware that fail to properly protect administrative authentication credentials. These devices typically store administrative passwords in accessible locations or transmit them in cleartext over network protocols, allowing attackers to extract these credentials through various means including network packet analysis, firmware inspection, or exploitation of misconfigured web interfaces. The vulnerability exists at the application layer and potentially affects the network layer as well, since administrative access to these devices provides attackers with complete control over network traffic, firewall rules, and device configurations. The affected firmware versions indicate that this issue was not properly addressed in the development lifecycle, suggesting inadequate security testing or code review processes during the software development life cycle. This weakness creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise, as the exposed credentials provide immediate administrative access without requiring additional authentication bypass techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple credential exposure, creating cascading security risks throughout affected network environments. Once an attacker obtains administrative credentials, they can manipulate network configurations, redirect traffic, install malicious firmware, or establish backdoors for persistent access. This vulnerability directly enables privilege escalation attacks and can facilitate lateral movement within networks where these devices serve as gateways or access points. Organizations using these affected devices face potential data breaches, network disruption, and compliance violations, particularly in regulated environments where network security is paramount. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to use these devices as command and control points for broader attacks or to establish persistent access to internal networks. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1566 (Phishing) techniques, as it provides legitimate administrative access that can be leveraged for further exploitation. The risk is particularly elevated in environments where network segmentation is not properly implemented, as attackers can use these compromised devices to move laterally between network zones.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-26903 require immediate action including firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the credential exposure issue, along with comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit the impact of compromised devices and ensure that administrative access is restricted to authorized personnel only. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other network equipment, as this vulnerability demonstrates a pattern of insecure credential handling in networking equipment. Network administrators should also consider implementing additional authentication mechanisms such as two-factor authentication and disabling unnecessary administrative services to reduce the attack surface. The affected devices should be isolated from critical network segments until proper security measures are implemented, and organizations should maintain detailed inventory records of all network devices to ensure comprehensive patch management across all affected models. Additionally, security teams should monitor threat intelligence feeds for any reported exploitation attempts targeting these specific device models and implement network intrusion detection systems to identify potential credential theft activities.