CVE-2020-35797 in NMS300
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2020
NETGEAR NMS300 devices before 1.6.0.27 are affected by command injection by an unauthenticated attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2020
The vulnerability in NETGEAR NMS300 devices represents a critical command injection flaw that allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. This issue manifests through improper input validation mechanisms within the device's web interface and management protocols, creating a pathway for remote code execution without requiring any authentication credentials or prior access privileges. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 1.6.0.27, indicating a widespread exposure across numerous deployed devices in enterprise and small business environments.
From a technical perspective, the flaw occurs when user-supplied input is directly incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that bypass authentication checks and inject operating system commands through vulnerable parameters in HTTP requests or API calls. The affected device components likely include web server modules, command-line interfaces, or network management protocols that process external inputs without adequate validation controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within network environments. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, modify device configurations, disable security features, or use the compromised devices as launch points for attacks against other networked systems. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit makes it particularly dangerous as it requires no initial credentials or reconnaissance efforts to begin exploitation attempts.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including firmware updates to version 1.6.0.27 or later, which contain patches addressing the command injection vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure of affected devices, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect anomalous command execution patterns or unusual network traffic originating from these devices. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected NMS300 devices within their networks and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk assessment.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-88 categories, representing command injection flaws that permit arbitrary code execution through improper input handling. The attack vector falls under the ATT&CK framework's T1059.001 technique for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting remote command execution capabilities. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit also maps to T1190 for exploitation of remote services, highlighting the critical need for proper authentication and input validation controls in network management interfaces. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to help prevent exploitation attempts while maintaining visibility into potential attack activities targeting these devices.