CVE-2020-26931 in WC7500
Summary
by MITRE • 10/09/2020
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by disclosure of sensitive information. This affects WC7500 before 6.5.5.24, WC7600 before 6.5.5.24, WC7600v2 before 6.5.5.24, and WC9500 before 6.5.5.24.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-26931 represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw affecting multiple NETGEAR wireless controller devices within the WC7500, WC7600, WC7600v2, and WC9500 product lines. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of sensitive data within the device firmware, potentially exposing confidential information to unauthorized parties who can access the device through network connections. The affected models are specifically those running firmware versions prior to 6.5.5.24, indicating that NETGEAR has released a patch to address this security gap. The vulnerability type aligns with CWE-200, which encompasses issues related to information exposure, where sensitive data is unintentionally made available to unauthorized actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability likely involves insufficient input validation or improper access controls within the device's web interface or management protocols. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to extract configuration details, authentication credentials, or other sensitive operational data from the affected wireless controllers. These devices typically manage wireless network access points and are critical components in enterprise and commercial network infrastructures, making them attractive targets for malicious actors seeking to gain unauthorized access to wireless networks. The impact extends beyond simple data exposure as this information could enable further attacks including network infiltration, man-in-the-middle attacks, or complete network compromise.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are significant for organizations utilizing affected NETGEAR devices, as the exposure of sensitive information could lead to unauthorized network access, data breaches, and potential regulatory compliance violations. Network administrators may find that attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or gain deeper access to connected systems, particularly in environments where wireless controllers manage multiple access points and network segments. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple device variants suggests a systemic flaw in the firmware development process rather than an isolated incident, potentially affecting numerous installations worldwide. Organizations should consider the broader implications for their wireless network security posture and evaluate whether additional security measures are required to protect against potential exploitation of this information disclosure vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate firmware updates to version 6.5.5.24 or later, as provided by NETGEAR to address the root cause of the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of affected devices to untrusted networks or users. Regular security assessments of wireless infrastructure components are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in other network equipment. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and thorough security testing of network device firmware, particularly in enterprise environments where wireless infrastructure serves as a critical component of overall network security. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures for addressing information disclosure vulnerabilities in their network infrastructure.