CVE-2021-38531 in D6200
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by incorrect configuration of security settings. This affects D6200 before 1.1.00.40, D7000 before 1.0.1.78, R6020 before 1.0.0.42, R6080 before 1.0.0.42, R6120 before 1.0.0.66, R6260 before 1.1.0.78, R6700v2 before 1.2.0.76, R6800 before 1.2.0.76, R6900v2 before 1.2.0.76, R7450 before 1.2.0.76, AC2100 before 1.2.0.76, and AC2400 before 1.2.0.76.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-38531 represents a critical configuration flaw in numerous NETGEAR wireless routers and access points that impacts fundamental network security mechanisms. This issue stems from improper implementation of security settings during device initialization or firmware updates, leaving affected devices with weakened protective measures against unauthorized access and network exploitation. The vulnerability affects a substantial range of NETGEAR consumer and enterprise-grade networking equipment, including popular models such as the D6200, D7000, R6020, R6080, R6120, R6260, R6700v2, R6800, R6900v2, R7450, AC2100, and AC2400 series devices. These affected models span multiple firmware versions where security configurations have not been properly established or maintained, creating persistent attack vectors for malicious actors targeting home and small office networks.
The technical flaw manifests through inadequate security parameter configuration that fails to properly implement standard network protection mechanisms. This misconfiguration allows attackers to potentially bypass authentication procedures, gain unauthorized administrative access to affected devices, and manipulate network settings without proper authorization. The vulnerability specifically impacts the device's ability to maintain secure default configurations, leaving networks exposed to various attack vectors including but not limited to man-in-the-middle attacks, credential theft, and network traffic interception. The improper security settings may include weak default passwords, disabled encryption protocols, or misconfigured firewall rules that undermine the device's inherent network protection capabilities. This configuration error represents a fundamental failure in device security initialization and can be categorized under CWE-255 Credentials Management Issues and CWE-798 Use of Hard-coded Credentials, as the devices may contain hardcoded security parameters that are not properly secured.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple network access issues, creating significant risks for both individual users and enterprise environments that rely on these networking devices. Organizations utilizing affected NETGEAR devices face potential unauthorized network access, data interception, and service disruption that could compromise sensitive information and network integrity. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple device models means that even networks with mixed device types are at risk, as any single affected device can serve as an entry point for attackers to expand their access within the network. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, redirect network traffic, or use the compromised device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. The impact is particularly concerning for home users who may not have dedicated cybersecurity personnel to monitor and remediate such issues, potentially exposing personal data and home automation systems to unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-38531 require immediate firmware updates from NETGEAR to address the underlying security configuration issues. Network administrators and users should prioritize updating all affected devices to the latest available firmware versions that contain proper security parameter implementations. The recommended remediation approach includes verifying device firmware versions against NETGEAR's official release notes and applying updates through secure channels to prevent potential exploitation during the update process. Additional defensive measures should include implementing network segmentation to limit the impact of potential compromise, enabling strong authentication mechanisms, and monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network access controls and intrusion detection systems to identify and respond to potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The mitigation efforts align with ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as the vulnerability could be exploited through social engineering or credential theft to gain unauthorized access to network resources. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that all network devices maintain proper security configurations and that the mitigation strategies remain effective against evolving threats.