CVE-2021-20171 in RAX43
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2021
Netgear RAX43 version 1.0.3.96 stores sensitive information in plaintext. All usernames and passwords for the device's associated services are stored in plaintext on the device. For example, the admin password is stored in plaintext in the primary configuration file on the device.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2022
This vulnerability resides within Netgear RAX43 routers running firmware version 1.0.3.96 and represents a critical security flaw that violates fundamental principles of credential storage security. The device fails to implement proper cryptographic protection for sensitive authentication data, storing all usernames and passwords in plaintext format directly within its configuration files. This represents a direct violation of security best practices and industry standards such as those outlined in CWE-312, which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive information through improper storage mechanisms. The vulnerability affects not only administrative credentials but extends to all service account passwords that the device manages, creating a comprehensive exposure of the router's authentication infrastructure.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the device's configuration management system which lacks any form of encryption or hashing for sensitive data storage. When the router processes and stores authentication credentials, it writes them directly to persistent storage without applying any cryptographic protection measures. This plaintext storage occurs in the primary configuration file, making the credentials immediately accessible to any attacker who gains access to the device's file system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core administrative password, which provides full control over the device's configuration and network access policies. According to ATT&CK framework category T1552, this represents a technique for accessing credentials that leverages the storage of credentials in plaintext, making it easier for threat actors to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to network resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate device compromise, as it creates persistent exposure of network credentials that can be exploited by attackers for extended periods. Once an attacker gains access to the device, they can immediately extract all stored credentials and use them to access not only the router itself but also any network services that rely on these same credentials. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform lateral movement within the network, access connected devices, and potentially escalate to higher privileges within the network infrastructure. The plaintext storage approach creates a situation where even if network security measures are in place, they become ineffective as attackers can bypass them entirely by directly accessing the stored credentials. This represents a significant risk to enterprise networks where the router serves as a critical gateway, as the compromise of a single device can lead to widespread network infiltration and data breaches.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The most critical immediate action involves upgrading to a firmware version that properly encrypts stored credentials, which requires users to update their device firmware to a patched version. Network administrators should also implement additional security controls such as network segmentation to limit the impact of device compromise and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper credential management practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-63B, which emphasizes the need for secure storage of authentication data. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their network infrastructure. Additionally, this vulnerability underscores the necessity of secure software development practices and proper security testing during the device development lifecycle to prevent such fundamental flaws from reaching production environments.