CVE-2021-38524 in MK62
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by a stack-based buffer overflow by an authenticated user. This affects MK62 before 1.0.6.110, MR60 before 1.0.6.110, MS60 before 1.0.6.110, RAX15 before 1.0.2.82, RAX20 before 1.0.2.82, RAX200 before 1.0.3.106, RAX45 before 1.0.2.32, RAX50 before 1.0.2.32, RAX75 before 1.0.3.106, RAX80 before 1.0.3.106, RBK752 before 3.2.16.6, RBR750 before 3.2.16.6, and RBS750 before 3.2.16.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow condition that affects multiple NETGEAR wireless router and networking device models, specifically those listed in the affected versions. The flaw exists within the device's firmware handling mechanisms and can be exploited by an authenticated attacker who already possesses valid credentials to access the device's administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation in the device's web-based management interface where user-supplied data is processed without adequate bounds checking. This allows an attacker to craft malicious input that overflows the allocated stack buffer, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes. The affected devices span several product lines including the MK62, MR60, MS60, and various RAX and RBK series routers, indicating a widespread issue across NETGEAR's product portfolio.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the bounds of a fixed-length stack buffer. The attack vector requires an authenticated user context, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid login credentials to exploit the vulnerability. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits but does not eliminate the severity of the issue. The buffer overflow condition can be triggered through specific inputs sent to the device's web administration interface, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. Such memory corruption can lead to complete system compromise, enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server process, which typically runs with elevated system privileges on network devices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential full system compromise and persistent access to network infrastructure. An authenticated attacker with access to the device's administrative interface could leverage this vulnerability to gain root-level access to the router's operating system, potentially enabling them to modify network configurations, intercept traffic, redirect DNS requests, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects devices that are commonly deployed in residential and small business environments, where they serve as primary network gateways and security boundaries. This makes the potential impact significant as attackers who gain access to these devices can effectively control network traffic and compromise all devices connected to the affected network. The widespread nature of the affected product lines suggests that organizations with multiple NETGEAR devices may face substantial risk exposure.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the buffer overflow vulnerability in affected device models. Organizations should implement strict access controls and ensure that administrative interfaces are not exposed to untrusted networks, limiting access to authenticated users with legitimate business needs. Network segmentation and monitoring of administrative access attempts can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious traffic patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in network infrastructure components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in embedded systems, particularly in network devices where the attack surface includes both local and remote access vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access and maintaining detailed logs of all administrative activities for forensic analysis purposes.