CVE-2021-20174 in Nighthawk R6700
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2021
Netgear Nighthawk R6700 version 1.0.4.120 does not utilize secure communication methods to the web interface. By default, all communication to/from the device's web interface is sent via HTTP, which causes potentially sensitive information (such as usernames and passwords) to be transmitted in cleartext.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-20174 affects Netgear Nighthawk R6700 routers running firmware version 1.0.4.120 and potentially other affected models. This security weakness represents a critical flaw in the device's communication protocol implementation where all web interface interactions occur over unencrypted HTTP connections instead of secure HTTPS protocols. The absence of proper encryption mechanisms creates a significant attack surface that exposes users to various network-based threats and man-in-the-middle attacks.
The technical flaw stems from the router's default configuration that fails to implement secure communication channels for its web administration interface. This design decision violates fundamental security principles and creates an environment where all data transmitted between the user's device and the router's web interface remains in plaintext format. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication process where usernames and passwords are transmitted without encryption, making them easily interceptable by malicious actors on the same network segment. This flaw falls under the CWE-319 category of "Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information" and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and secure communication practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential interception to encompass potential complete system compromise. Attackers who can monitor network traffic can capture administrative credentials and use them to gain unauthorized access to the router's configuration interface. This unauthorized access enables attackers to modify router settings, install malicious firmware, redirect traffic, or establish persistent backdoors within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability creates an elevated risk for enterprise and home network environments where sensitive data flows through these devices, as the compromised router can serve as a pivot point for lateral movement within the network. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols and T1078.002 for Valid Accounts: Default Accounts, as attackers can leverage the exposed credentials for persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of firmware updates from Netgear that enable HTTPS encryption for web interface communications. Network administrators should also implement additional security measures such as network segmentation to isolate critical infrastructure from general network traffic, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for credential interception attempts, and enforce mandatory secure communication policies. Organizations should consider implementing network access controls to restrict administrative access to specific IP addresses and establish regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify similar insecure configurations across their network infrastructure. The remediation process should include comprehensive network monitoring to detect any attempts to exploit this vulnerability and ensure that all administrative access points utilize encrypted communication channels.