CVE-2021-20175 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 SOAP interface. By default, all communication to/from the device's SOAP Interface (port 5000) 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-2021-20175 affects Netgear Nighthawk R6700 routers running firmware version 1.0.4.120 and potentially other affected models. This security flaw resides within the device's SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) interface implementation, which serves as a communication protocol for managing router configuration and administrative functions. The issue stems from the router's failure to implement secure communication channels for its SOAP interface, creating a significant exposure point for sensitive data transmission. The SOAP interface operates on port 5000 by default, making it readily accessible to network adversaries who can intercept and analyze traffic passing through this endpoint. This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the router's security architecture, as it directly undermines the confidentiality of administrative communications essential for maintaining network security.
The technical flaw manifests as the absence of Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption for communications between administrative clients and the router's SOAP interface. All data transmitted through this interface, including authentication credentials, configuration parameters, and system management commands, flows in cleartext over unencrypted HTTP connections. This design flaw allows attackers to capture and analyze network traffic using standard packet sniffing tools, enabling them to extract usernames, passwords, and potentially other sensitive information from the SOAP interface communications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the administrative interface, which typically requires elevated privileges to access, making the extracted credentials potentially valuable for unauthorized access to the entire network infrastructure. This weakness aligns with CWE-319 (CWE-319: Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information) and represents a fundamental failure in implementing secure communication protocols for administrative services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to gain full administrative control over the affected routers. Once credentials are captured through packet sniffing or man-in-the-middle attacks, attackers can modify router configurations, disable security features, redirect traffic, or establish persistent access points within the network. The vulnerability affects the router's ability to maintain secure communications with authorized administrators, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate legitimate users and execute malicious commands through the SOAP interface. This exposure creates a significant risk for network administrators who may unknowingly transmit sensitive information through the unencrypted interface, particularly in environments where network monitoring is insufficient to detect such communications. The impact is compounded by the fact that many users may not be aware of the SOAP interface's existence or its security implications, making the vulnerability more difficult to detect and remediate.
Effective mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-20175 require both immediate and long-term security measures. The primary recommendation involves updating the router firmware to the latest version provided by Netgear, which should include secure communication implementations for the SOAP interface. Network administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit access to port 5000, ensuring that only authorized administrative systems can reach the SOAP interface. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on cleartext credential transmission helps identify potential exploitation attempts. The use of network intrusion detection systems and regular security audits can further enhance protection against exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing secure remote access solutions such as VPNs or SSH tunnels for administrative access to avoid exposing the router's SOAP interface to untrusted networks. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure communication protocols in network infrastructure devices and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: SSH) and T1566 (Phishing for Information) in the context of credential harvesting through network traffic interception.