CVE-2021-45541 in R7900
Summary
by MITRE • 12/26/2021
Certain NETGEAR devices are affected by command injection by an authenticated user. This affects R7900 before 1.0.4.38, R7900P before 1.4.2.84, R8000 before 1.0.4.68, R8000P before 1.4.2.84, RAX200 before 1.0.3.106, MR60 before 1.0.6.110, RAX45 before 1.0.2.72, RAX80 before 1.0.3.106, MS60 before 1.0.6.110, RAX50 before 1.0.2.72, RAX75 before 1.0.3.106, RBR750 before 3.2.16.6, RBR850 before 3.2.16.6, RBS750 before 3.2.16.6, RBS850 before 3.2.16.6, RBK752 before 3.2.16.6, and RBK852 before 3.2.16.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2021
This vulnerability represents a critical command injection flaw in NETGEAR networking equipment that allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary commands on affected devices. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the web interface of these routers and access points, creating a pathway for malicious actors who have gained legitimate access to escalate their privileges and compromise the entire network infrastructure. The vulnerability affects multiple models across different product lines including the R7900, R8000, RAX series, and various RBR/RBS/RBK series devices, indicating a widespread issue that impacts both consumer and enterprise networking solutions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of user-supplied input in web-based management interfaces. When authenticated users submit specific input parameters through the device's web administration portal, the system fails to adequately sanitize or validate these inputs before processing them within system commands. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected and executed with the privileges of the authenticated user, potentially escalating to root or administrative levels depending on the device implementation. The flaw aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-89, which specifically address command injection vulnerabilities in software applications where user input is directly incorporated into command execution without proper validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple unauthorized access, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on network infrastructure devices. An authenticated attacker could potentially gain complete control over the affected router, allowing them to modify network configurations, redirect traffic, establish backdoors, or even use the device as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network. This represents a significant risk to network security posture, as these devices typically serve as the gateway between internal networks and external internet connections, making them prime targets for attackers seeking persistent access. The vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including web browser-based exploitation or through automated tools that target the specific input handling mechanisms.
Network security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest firmware updates provided by NETGEAR, which address the command injection vulnerability through proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of compromised devices, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous command execution patterns or unusual network traffic that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of affected devices within the network infrastructure. The remediation efforts should follow established security frameworks and best practices for vulnerability management, including the implementation of principle of least privilege for administrative access and regular security audits to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation in network infrastructure devices, as even authenticated access can provide attackers with significant leverage when command injection vulnerabilities exist within the system.